Titchard: Thunder must get on roll

STEVE Titchard is not labelling tomorrow’s Kia Super League clash with Surrey Stars as must-win for his Lancashire Thunder side, but he knows games soon will be if they don’t triumph.

The short and sharp nature of the fivegame KSL means losing sides have little wriggle room.

The Thunder lost their opener against Yorkshire Diamonds at Headingley on Friday, a game which coach Titchard was not too disheartened by.

He will welcome Sarah Taylor (right) into the fold for her debut at Emirates Old Trafford (2.30pm) having missed Friday due to her sister’s wedding. He is also confident of having Kate Cross available following a hip injury.

“There were positives to take from the defeat to Yorkshire,” said Titchard, who saw his side respond to 162-4 with 134-7, losing by 19 runs.

“A couple of girls at the end played encouraging little innings for us. It just felt like it wasn’t going be our day. But it was a game between two decent teams, and two you might see a bit further in the competition.

“You don’t really want to be two defeats from two and having to win the last three to get through.

“Tomorrow is not must-win yet, but it’s a game we could do with winning.

“We’ve got a couple of players coming back, which gives us a boost. Kate looks like it’s promising for her to be fit.

“It gives us a couple more bowling options.

“We had four spinners and one seamer at Headingley, so that gives us a bit more variety.

“Sarah comes back in to keep and gives us that x-factor in our batting.

“It will be brilliant. Sarah Taylor, one of the best players in the world on her Thunder debut contributing to what we’re about.”

Tomorrow’s game is another double header with the men, with Lancashire Lightning facing Worcestershire Rapids in what is a must-win NatWest T20 Blast game in the evening.

The Thunder’s opponents, Surrey Stars, won their opener against Yorkshire Diamonds at the Oval on Sunday,