Western Storm into the final as top scorer Rodrigues misses out

The obituary will follow – watch this space – delving deep into the Kia Super League’s short-lived but impactful life across four seasons. But what of this season alone? Coming immediately in the wake of an Ashes disaster, the last instalment of the Twenty20 competition was a chance for redemption and, for those in contention, the first step towards the World Twenty20 in Australia early next year.

In the absence of India’s own women’s IPL, for the second season in succession a young, exciting talent from the subcontinent finished as the leading run-scorer. On this occasion it is Yorkshire Diamonds’ Jemimah Rodrigues, aged just 18.

Despite this contribution, the Diamonds will not be at finals day, having failed to qualify in the top three. However, Smriti Mandhana, last year’s Indian wunderkind, will be. Finals day was an opportunity she was denied then, ushered back to India due to international commitments. Her team, Western Storm, fell at the first hurdle, losing the semi-final play-off.

This year, the Storm have already secured their place in the final by dint of qualifying top. The India vice-captain has had a lean run in the final group stages, but with New Zealand’s Rachel Priest and both Fran Wilson and Heather Knight all rallying around at the top of the order, the West Country outfit enter tomorrow as favourites.

Loughborough Lightning enter the play-off match as favourites, having beaten the team they will face – the Southern Vipers – in their final group match, with Amy Jones hitting an unbeaten 74.

In a tournament dominated by overseas batsmen, Vipers’ Danni Wyatt was the only English player to score a ton, against Surrey Stars earlier this month.