KSL 2017: Final, Review: Western Storm pip the defending champions Southern Vipers to clinch the title

Western Storm emerged as the champions of the Kia Super League 2017 after defeating the defending champions Southern Vipers in the final by seven wickets at the Brighton. Western Storm, who were on the losing end in the final of the previous edition, returned the favours by clinching the title this time. A brilliant knock from Rachel Priest made things easy for the Storm side as they cruised through the 146-run chase with two overs to spare.

After defeating the Surrey Stars in the semi-final an hour before the finals, the Western Storm elected to field first. However, the Southern Vipers openers Suzie Bates and Hayley Matthews gave their team a perfect start with a 47-run stand for the opening wicket. But Stafanie Taylor picked up three wickets including that of both the openers in a space of two overs to reduce the Vipers to 63/3. Mignon du Preez and Danielle Wyatt with 31 and 21 runs respectively took the Vipers close to 140. Captain Charlotte Edwards scored an unbeaten 20 runs off just eight balls in her last professional cricket match to push the Vipers’ total to 145/5.

Priest went berserk in the chase with a 72-run knock which came off just 36 balls with the help of 10 fours and three sixes. She brought up her fifty in 26 balls as the team raced to 63 in the mandatory powerplay. With four fours and a six Priest accumulated 26 runs in the 6th over bowled by Linsey Smith.

She got out in the 10th over of the innings with Western Storm’s score at 94/3. Priest ended the tournament as the leading run-getter with 261 runs pipping her country mate Suzie Bates (260) by one run. Taylor and Sophie Luff took the team home with an unbeaten 57-run stand as both the batters scored 30 each. With a six on the final ball of the 18th over bowled by Katie George, Stafanie Taylor sealed the victory for the Western Storm.

Brief Scores:

Southern Vipers: 145/5 in 20 overs (Hayley Matthews 31, Mignon du Preez 31; Stafanie Taylor 3/28)

Western Storm: 151/3 in 18 overs (Rachel Priest 72; Arran Brindle 1/17)

Western Storm won by seven wickets