Western Storms Sign Smriti Mandhana for the Women's Cricket Super League

Team Indian Women’s opening batsman Smriti Mandhana os all set to become the first Indian cricketer to appear in the Women’s Cricket Super League in England. She was signed by the defending champions Western Storm for the 2018 season. The announcement of Mandhana’s signing as the 2^nd overseas player was made public by the Storm.

It will be the 3^rd edition of the tournament. Along with Mandhana, New Zealand wicket-keeper batswoman Rachel Priest is the other overseas recruit in the team. She will be playing his 3^rd tournament with the same team. There is no doubt about the fact that Madnhana has been one of the most consistent performers for India since the 2017 Women’s World Cup.

She has scored 402 runs in 12 T20I innings which includes four half-centuries. I the process, she also scored her career-best T20I score of 76 in just 40 deliveries. She also accumulated 531 runs at an impressive average of 66. It included 5 half-centuries and a superb 135 against South Africa. She has played 9 ODI innings since the beginning of 2019.

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This is not the first time, Mandhana will be playing franchise cricket. She was earlier part of the Brisbane Heats team for the 2016-17 season of the Women’s Big Bash League. She was also the captain of the Trailblazers in a one-off exhibition match ahead of the Qualifier 1 at the Wankhede Stadium.

“I am very excited to be playing for the Kia Super League champions. To be the first Indian player to appear in the tournament is a real honour and I hope that I can help Western Storm to more success,” the 21-year-old said. Meanwhile, the Surrey Stars have signed Harmanpreet Kaur for the 2^nd edition of the tournament. It was due to be played after the 2017 World Cup. Harman played the majority of the World Cup with a heavily strapped shoulder and pulled out of the tournament following the conclusion of the World Cup.

Trevor Griffin expresses excitement at the signing of Mandhana

“We are really excited that Smriti will be joining us. She is one of the brightest young talents in the game at the moment. Although she is still young, she has a great deal of experience of the game at the highest level and we believe that she will prove to be an excellent signing,”head coach of Storm, Trevor Griffin said.

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