Knight believes Taylor is key for Storm ahead of Bristol clash
14 August 2017
England captain Heather Knight believes West Indies star Stefanie Taylor can help make the difference for Western Storm in this season's Kia women's Super League.
Cast in the role of rivals at this summer's World Cup, the pair now have a common cause as they pursue glory in England's premier domestic T20 competition.
Western Storm will play in Bristol on Saturday 26 August against Lancashire Thunder and tickets are just £5 for adults - click here to book.
Runners-up to Southern Vipers in last year's inaugural tournament, Storm are looking to go one better this time around. And Taylor is one reason why Knight insists her team can make it to finals day in Hove next month.
Desperately in need of a confidence-restoring victory following heavy defeat at the hands of the Vipers in their opening game last week, Storm had Taylor to thank for almost single-handedly dismantling Loughborough Lightning at Taunton on Saturday.
The 26-year-old Jamaican returned startling figures of 4-5 with the ball and weighed in with a crucial run out, before top-scoring with 34 as Storm put their campaign back on track with a five-wicket success.
No wonder Knight was prepared to sing the praises of the talented all-rounder when speaking with the media afterwards, insisting: "How good was Stefanie?."
She added: "She was the leading wicket taker and run scorer in the competition last year and she has picked up where she left off.
"Her performance was quite something, especially when you take into account that she had a really tough World Cup with West Indies. I think she's a bit more relaxed now she's playing Kia Premier League and that showed in her performance."
WATCH:
Highlights as @stafanie07 stars for @WesternStormKSL https://t.co/zUn5hn3EEP pic.twitter.com/uqtFyvX2zP
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Taylor effected a brilliant run out to dismiss Lightning batting star Ellyse Perry and immediately followed up by claiming three wickets in her first over to materially alter the course of a contest that had been in the balance up until her intervention.
Knight added: "We were looking to contain Lightning and restrict the scoring, but Stefanie just took the game away from them. It was an outstanding performance and they never recovered from her first over.
"She loves playing at Taunton and was brilliant. It's nice to have her back in the ranks and we are lucky to have her. She has that extra bit of star quality and can be a match-winner for us again this summer."
Soundly beaten by nine wickets at the Ageas Bowl in a re-run of last season's final, Storm were determined to bounce back in front of their home crowd at the weekend.
Knight revealed: "We didn't start too well and we had some very honest conversations after losing to the Vipers. It was important to respond in the right way against Lightning and we did that.
"It was a really good team effort in the field and, although we made it slightly tense in the chase, we got there in the end. It's always good to get that first win on the board and we are now up and running."
Western Storm are next in action when they meet Yorkshire Diamonds at York Cricket Club on Sunday 20 August.
Tickets to watch Western Storm in Bristol on Saturday 26 August are now on sale. (Adult tickets just £5)
Western Storm v Lancashire Thunder - Click here to book
