Western Storm

Western Storm were formed in 2016 to compete in the new Women's Cricket Super League, representing the South West.[6] In their inaugural season, they came second in the group stage, meaning they progressed to the semi-final, which they won against Loughborough Lightning.[7] However, they lost in the final by seven wickets to the Southern Vipers.[8] One of Western Storm's overseas players, Stafanie Taylor, was both the leading run-scorer and leading wicket-taker, and was subsequently named player of the tournament.[9]

In 2017, Western Storm finished third in the group stage, again progressing to the semi-final, which they won against the Surrey Stars.[10] In a rematch against the Southern Vipers, this time the Storm emerged victorious, winning by seven wickets and claiming their first WCSL title. Western Storm overseas player Rachel Priest scored 72 in the final, and was the tournament's leading run-scorer.[11] In 2018, Western Storm again reached finals day, finishing third in the group stage,[12] but were defeated by the Surrey Stars in the semi-final.[13] Storm's Smriti Mandhana was the leading run-scorer and player of the tournament.[14]

In the final season of the WCSL, 2019, Western Storm won 9 out of their 10 group stage games, topping the group and progressing straight to the final for the first time.[15] There, they faced Southern Vipers in a repeat of the first ever WCSL final. Chasing 173 to win, Storm captain Heather Knight scored 78* as her side were victorious with an over to spare.[16] Western Storm therefore ended the WCSL as the most successful team, with two title wins. Bowler Freya Davies was the leading wicket-taker in the tournament.[17][18]

In 2020, women's cricket in England was restructured, creating eight new 'regional hub' teams, with the intention of playing both 50-over and 20-over cricket.[19] The Western Storm brand was retained after this restructuring, with some differences to the squad and coaching staff. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 season was truncated, and only 50-over cricket was played, in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy.[20] Western Storm won 4 of their 6 games, finishing second in the South Group and therefore failing to progress to the final.[21]

• Lizelle Lee – South Africa (2016)
• Stafanie Taylor – West Indies (2016–2018)
• Rachel Priest – New Zealand (2016–2019)
• Holly Huddleston – New Zealand (2017)
• Smriti Mandhana – India (2018–2019)
• Deepti Sharma – India (2019)

• Abandoned matches are counted as NR (no result)
• Win or loss by super over or boundary count are counted as tied.

• Abandoned matches are counted as NR (no result)
• Win or loss by super over or boundary count are counted as tied.

• Highest team total: 185/4, v Lancashire Thunder on 9 August 2018.[24]
• Lowest team total: 70, v Southern Vipers on 10 August 2017.[25]
• Highest individual score: 106*, Rachel Priest v Yorkshire Diamonds on 20 August 2017.[26]
• Best individual bowling analysis: 5/23, Anya Shrubsole v Yorkshire Diamonds on 14 August 2016.[27]
• Most runs: 1062 in 36 matches, Heather Knight.[28]
• Most wickets: 37 wickets in 36 matches, Freya Davies.[29]

• Highest team total: 288/6, v Sunrisers on 19 September 2020.[30]
• Lowest (completed) team total: 239 v Southern Vipers on 31 August 2020.[31]
• Highest individual score: 105, Georgia Hennessy v Sunrisers on 19 September 2020.[32]
• Best individual bowling analysis: 5/26, Fi Morris v Sunrisers on 5 September 2020.[33]
• Most runs: 339 runs in 6 matches, Sophie Luff.[34]
• Most wickets: 11 wickets in 6 matches, Fi Morris and Georgia Hennessy.[35]