LONDON, CMC — West Indies Women captain Stafanie Taylor shone with the ball but failed with the bat as her Western Storm slipped to a five-run defeat to Loughborough Lightning in the inaugural English Women Super League here on Friday.
Bowling her off-spin, Taylor finished with two for 35 from her four overs as Lightning, opting to bat first, posted 158 for eight off their 20 overs at Haslegrave Ground.
Wicketkeeper Amy Jones top-scored with 46 off 30 balls while Australian Ellyse Perry chipped in with 44 off 37 balls. In reply, Storm were limited to 153 for five off their 20 overs, with Taylor scoring nine from 12 balls at the top of the order.
She was bowled by South African leg-spinner Dane van Niekerk in the fourth over as Storm slipped to 26 for two in the sixth but captain Heather Knight, who top-scored with 74 off 46 balls, put on 78 for the third wicket with Fran Wilson (21), to prop up the innings.
At Stanley Park in Blackpool, both West Indies players Deandra Dottin and Hayley Matthews failed with the bat as their Lancashire Thunder went down to Southern Vipers by 11 runs.
Batting first, Vipers reached 132 for four off their 20 overs with New Zealander Sara McGlashan top-scoring with 54 off 50 balls.
Teenager Matthews, who opened the bowling, took two for 16 in a brilliant four-over spell while seamer Dottin finished with one for 21 from her four.
In reply, Thunder were held to 121 for seven with Matthews failing to score at the top of the order and Dottin perishing for five.
Emma Lambe top-scored with 34 of 35 deliveries.
