Lightning ready to go

Loughborough Lightning are gearing up for T20 action as they begin their battle for the title in the inaugural season of the Kia Super League.

With a side brimming with talent, Loughborough will be seeking to make an immediate impact on the KSL, but will face tough competition from their rivals with a host of talented players involved in the tournament.

The team get their campaign underway with a trip to Headingley to face Yorkshire Diamonds on Saturday, July 30 at 2.30pm before they host Lancashire Thunder four days later at Haslegrave (4.30pm start).

Then follows two further games on campus against Western Storm and Surrey Stars, matches to be played on the Friday afternoons of August 5 and 12.

Lightning will be led in the competition by Georgia Elwiss, who, alongside teammate Amy Jones, recently played a crucial role in helping England to secure a series victory over Pakistan in both forms of white ball cricket.

Elwiss made a quickfire 77 from 78 balls in the third match of the one-day series, helping to propel England to a third successive win, and she will be hoping to continue that kind of form when returning to club duty.

In amongst the plethora of other stars with international experience that Loughborough can call upon is Sophie Devine from New Zealand, South African Dane van Niekerk, and the ICC’s number one ranked all-rounder Australian Ellyse Perry.

The 23-year-old van Niekerk has been named as the Proteas' captain and along with her capabilities with both bat and ball, she is sure to bring additional leadership to the Lightning ranks.

Lightning began training yesterday and their full set of KSL fixtures are as follows:

Saturday 30th July YORKSHIRE DIAMONDS 2.30PM A (HEADINGLEY)

Wednesday 3rd August LANCASHIRE THUNDER 4.30PM H 

Friday 5th August WESTERN STORM 4.30PM H 

Friday 12th August SURREY STARS 4.30PM H 

Sunday 14th August SOUTHERN VIPERS 2PM A (AGEAS BOWL)

Further information, including ticket details can be found at the Loughborough Lightning website.