Welsh Duo Win KIA Super League 2017

5th September 2017 | Mallory Gray

Claire Nicholas and Lauren Parfitt were part of the Western Storm squad who won the KIA super league defeating Southern Vipers by 7 wickets in the final at Hove on Friday evening.

Western Storm chased down Southern Vipers total of 145 with 12 balls to spare with a superb innings of 72 off 36 balls from Rachel Priest the New Zealand wicket keeper. Somerset’s Sophie Luff hit 30 off 24 balls and Stefanie Taylor the West Indian captain sealed the win with a six over long off after calling for a runner due to a pulled hamstring.  

Claire and Lauren who is the captain of the Wales Senior Women’s squad are the first welsh players to be involved in the KIA Super League. They are both exceptional role models for the young girls in Wales and will hopefully be the first of many welsh players to participate in this tournament.  

Claire has featured in all seven games opening the bowling along with England world cup winner Anya Shrubsole. Claire has been described as the find of the tournament and has finished up as the best non-international bowler and seventh overall in the statistics. Claire took 8 wickets in the tournament at an average of 15.75 with an economy of 5.47. Claire dismissed England world cup winners Tammy Beaumont twice, Natalie Sciver, Katherine Brunt and former South African captain Mignion Du Preez.  

After the final Claire said,

“Its been a fantastic experience to play alongside and against world class players over the last month. Having Lauren there as part of the squad has made me feel relaxed and helped me no end. I have enjoyed every minute and am over the moon to have been part of the winning squad. I am very grateful for all the support we have received from Cricket Wales and I hope we have made everyone proud”