PREVIEW: Storm head to capital in search of third straight victory
20 August 2017
Inspirational all rounder Stefanie Taylor has survived an injury scare and will almost certainly line-up for Western Storm against Surrey Stars at The Oval tomorrow (Wed).
Following back-to-back wins over Loughborough Lightning and Yorkshire Diamonds, Storm head to the capital in search of a third straight victory and qualification for finals day, which takes place at Hove on September 1.
The Brightside Ground, Bristol, will host the final group match of the competition this Saturday as Western Storm take on Lancashire Thunder (2.30pm) - Tickets are just £5 for adults and £1 for U16;s. Click here to book.
But they feared they might be forced to negotiate arguably their toughest assignment so far without their star player when Taylor was struck on the hand by a ball during the ten-wicket triumph over Diamonds at York on Sunday.
The 26-year-old West Indies international was forced to leave the field and was later taken to hospital, sparking fears that she could miss the rest of the domestic women's T20 tournament.
Those fears were allayed when a precautionary X-ray revealed no fracture and Taylor was passed fit to resume training. She will undergo a fitness check before the squad departs for London, but head coach Trevor Griffin is confident the Jamaican will be ready to face the Stars.
He admitted: "It was a major concern at the time Stefanie took a ball to the thumb, because she had to come off and go to hospital.
"She had some x-rays taken and, fortunately, they didn't show up a fracture or anything else untoward. The physios will have a look at her before the game, but all the early indications are that she will play at The Oval."
He added: "Stefanie has great skills and is an important player for us in terms of the balance of the side. But she is also a leader and has a lot to offer off the field as well. The other players feed off of her."
Victory in London will guarantee last season's runners-up a place in the finals, but Griffin admits the task of becoming the first side to defeat the Stars in this year's competition will be a challenging one.
Pre-tournament favourites, the Stars beat defending champions Southern Vipers at the Ageas Bowl on Sunday and top the group with a 100 per cent record from three outings. They boast England's Natalie Sciver and Tammy Beaumont among their ranks and have been strengthened by the arrival of Lizelle Lee, who played for Storm last year. Griffin admits: "They are the team to beat this year. On paper, they appear to have the best side and that has been borne out by results so far.
"But we are going to The Oval full of confidence after a great win against Diamonds and are determined to get the job done rather than have to wait until the final game (against Lancashire Thunder at Bristol on Saturday).
"We are improving with every game we play and have still not played our best cricket. There is more to come and that is encouraging."
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
