Harmanpreet Kaur re-joins Lancashire Thunder for Kia Super League

The 30-year-old batsman struck 164 runs the 2018 competition at an average of 32

Lancashire Thunder have re-signed India star Harmanpreet Kaur for the 2019 Kia Super League.

The 30-year-old batsman struck 164 runs the 2018 competition at an average of 32, ending the season as her side’s top scorer. On debut, she struck an unbeaten 34 in a win over eventual champions Surrey Stars.

Kaur captained India during last winter’s Women’s World T20; in that tournament, she became the first Indian woman to record a hundred in T20 international cricket. She made an unbeaten 103 from just 51 deliveries in a 34-run victory over New Zealand.

"I am delighted to sign with Lancashire Thunder once again for the Kia Super League," said Kaur.

"I really enjoyed my first spell in Lancashire, everybody made me feel very welcome and I have some great friends in the dressing room, who I can't wait to play with again.

"It is a very talented squad and I know we will all be hungry to go one further this year, following the disappointment of narrowly missing out on Finals Day in 2018."

Head coach Alex Blackwell added: "Harmanpreet made a fantastic start last summer, holding her nerve in the final over to hit the winning runs at Surrey after joining up with the squad late.

"She also played a great knock in our Roses victory against Yorkshire in Blackpool and I am certain that she will be determined to showcase even more of her skills this summer.

"It is great to have one of the world's leading T20 batters in our ranks once again."

Kaur's return to Old Trafford follows the news that her international teammate, Smriti Mandhana, has agreed to play for Western Storm again in this year's competition.