Kia Super League: All you need to know about England's premier women's T20 tournament

The Cricketer previews the start of the short-format competition as Surrey Stars look to defend their crown after their victory over Loughborough Lightning in last year's final

The fourth edition of the Kia Super League begins on Tuesday, with all sides in action on the opening day of the 20-over competition.

Will Surrey Stars be able to defend the crown they claimed in 2018?

What is the competition?

The Kia Super League is the English domestic women's cricket's 20-overs-a-side tournament.

When does it take place?

The Kia Super League runs for just under a month, starting on Tuesday, August 6. The competition begins a little later this year in comparison to last season due to the Ashes which Australia won so convincingly.

Following the conclusion of the group stage on Wednesday, August 28, the semi-final and final will take place on Finals Day on Sunday, September 1 at Hove in Sussex.

^{Western Storm's Smriti Mandhana was the tournament's highest run scorer last year}

Who is involved?

All six sides that were involved in the competition last year will take to the field again in this season's tournament.

Each side plays 10 matches, comprising of matches home and away against the other five sides in the competition during the group stage. 

At the end of the group stage, the side that finishes top qualifies immediately for the final, while the teams directly behind them in second and third face each other in the semi-final in a bid to join the group-stage table toppers.

THE FULL KIA SUPER LEAGUE FIXTURE LIST CAN BE VIEWED HERE

What's the format?

The Kia Super League follows the standard 20 overs per side format where no bowler can bowl more than four overs.

In each innings, the first six overs constitute a powerplay where only two fielders are permitted outside of the 30-yard circle.

A maximum of five fielders are then allowed outside of the 30-yard circle for the remainder of the innings.

VISIT OUR KIA SUPER LEAGUE HUB

For any no balls bowled, an extra ball which would be a free hit will be delivered. All regulations could change in the event of lost overs due to inclement weather.

In the group stage, five points are awarded for a bonus-point win, which would require the winning side to have achieved a run rate 1.25 times that of the opposition.

A win with no bonus point will see the winning side take four points, with two points also given in the event of a tie or no result. In the event of a tie in the semi-final or final, a Super Over will determine the winner. 

In the event two or more sides finish on the same number of points in the group phase, net run-rate, then head-to-head, will determine who finishes higher.

^{Kirstie Gordon took a tournament-high of 17 scalps in 2018}

How can I follow it?

The 2019 Kia Super League can be followed on TV via Sky Sports Cricket HD (Sky channel 404) who will be showing selected fixtures across the competition including Finals Day on September 1 at Hove.

Selected matches will also be available via radio on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra, including coverage of all three games on the opening day of the tournament.

^{Lizelle Lee's 104 for Surrey against Loughborough was the highest individual score last year}

Who is the favourite?

Winners of the competition in 2018, Surrey Stars are the bookmakers' favourite to prevail and repeat their feat from last year.

Southern Vipers and Western Storm, the winners from the other two editions, are considered to be closely on their tail.

Loughoborugh Lightning, who made the final last year, are behind the former winners but will be hoping for another strong tournament here.

Who should you look out for?

There have been three different winners in the three editions of the competition, and with the England players involved in the Ashes in desperate need of a pick-me-up, this year promises to be another open competition.

However, most sides have acquired or welcomed back excellent signings that they will want to exhibit over the course of the tournament.

Western Storm have brought back Smriti Mandhana after she crowned her inaugural tournament by becoming the leading run scorer in 2018, and she will no doubt harbour hopes of repeating that feat.

Yorkshire Diamonds have brought in Alyssa Healy who has experienced immeasurable experience in the country already, but she is the only Australian likely to take part. 

Holders Surrey Stars however potentially hold the key to dismissing Healy, with Mady Villiers, who dismissed the Australia captain in England's only Ashes win, will hope to inspire her side to a retention of the title.

Loughborough Lightning's Kirstie Gordon saw her stock rise in the tournament last year and will be one to keep tabs on after her involvement in the World T20, while more established names Tammy Beaumont and Danni Wyatt feature for Southern Vipers.

Harmanpreet Kaur joins Kate Cross and Sophie Ecclestone as the standout names for Lancashire Thunder, who have the impressive Sophia Dunkley in their ranks as well.

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