The Cricketer runs the rule over the Western Storm squad ahead of the 2022 Charlotte Edwards Cup and Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy campaigns
Captain: Sophie Luff
Coach: Trevor Griffin (Dan Helesfay until Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy)
Home grounds: Taunton, Bristol
Team background: The successor to the Kia Super League team of the same name, Western Storm retained the name and branding, but set about building a new squad under a new coach.
Trevor Griffin, most recently in charge of Sunrisers until his spring departure, was succeeded at Storm by Mark O'Leary, but he announced his exit in February.
"I've thoroughly enjoyed my time at Western Storm, and it's been a great three years, but the time has come for me to take on a new challenge," he said.
"I'm proud of everything that we have achieved during what is an incredibly exciting time for the women's game, and I wish Western Storm every success in the future.
"There is an incredible talent pool within the region, and I look forward to seeing how things progress both on and off the field."
Based at Bristol, Western Storm are a partnership between Glamorgan, Gloucestershire, Somerset, and Wales, also covering Devon, Cornwall, and Wiltshire.
Katie George is a useful bowling option for Western Storm [Harry Trump/Getty Images]
What happened last season?
Under O'Leary's leadership, Storm finished second in the South Group of the 2020 Heyhoe Flint Trophy, before his team finished sixth of the eight-team group stage last year.
In the inaugural edition of the Charlotte Edwards Cup – the domestic 20-over competition for women – Storm won four of their six matches but did not make the knockout phase. Things would have been different had they not become the first – and only, at this stage – team to lose against Sunrisers in a regional competition.
It meant they missed out on a Finals Day berth by virtue of net run rate. In the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, they were much further behind the eight-ball, finishing nine points below the playoff pack.
Individually, no one scored more runs in the 50-over competition across the nation than Sophie Luff, Storm's captain, who is roundly considered to be one of the leading uncapped players in the English game. She churned out 417 runs in seven games, including an unbeaten 157 in a win over Sunrisers.
Curiously, she was less fruitful in the T20 tournament, even if she remained Storm's leading run-getter. Georgia Hennessy was the only other player to reach 100 runs in the group stage.
Who are the England stars?
It's been a case of one-in-one-out for Western Storm, with Anya Shrubsole departing for pastures new following her retirement from international cricket. She has moved south to join Southern Vipers, taking her away from the region that has played such a major role in her cricketing life, having begun her county existence with Somerset.
Coming in through the same revolving door, however, is Fran Wilson, who has taken on the vice-captaincy to Luff following her arrival from Sunrisers. Like Shrubsole, this represents a new phase of Wilon's career, having retired from international cricket during the winter.
Heather Knight, the England captain, is some player to have at their disposal when available, while Katie George is also aligned to Storm, and both player and club will be hopeful that her rotten luck with injuries is coming to an end.
Storm's Claire Nicholas [Harry Trump/Getty Images]
Who are the old heads in the side?
At 28, Luff is an experienced figure and a widely respected captain; she is flying the flag for her era of domestic cricketers, who once upon a time in a not-too-distant past might have believed that an opportunity like this had passed her generation by.
There remains no reason why she can't push to become England's first debutante over the age of 25 since Sonia Odedra made her Test bow eight years ago.
Claire Nicholas, the 35-year-old off-spinner, gave birth to a baby boy at the start of June but returned to action in the latter set of fixtures in the Heyhoe Flint Trophy. Lauren Parfitt, who replaced Nicholas as Wales captain in 2017, is another with plenty of cricket behind her.
Nicole Harvey, 29, has one of the most remarkable tales in the game, having recovered from sepsis in 2020 to return to the game, taking part in The Hundred. She is one of several spin options available to Luff.
Who are the young players to watch?
Nineteen-year-old Alex Griffiths impressed for Western Storm last year, averaging 40.3 in three appearances in the Heyhoe Flint Trophy. Nat Wraith, 20, was less prolific with the bat but has continued to shine as one of several young wicketkeepers on the circuit.
Sophia Smale is a new addition to the squad; the teenage spinner is another Welsh recruit.
Squad: Sophie Luff, Lauren Parfitt, Heather Knight, Alex Griffiths, Georgia Hennessy, Niamh Holland, Bethan Gammon, Nat Wraith, Claire Nicholas, Danielle Gibson, Fi Morris, Katie George, Lauren Filer, Nicole Harvey, Mollie Robbins, Sophia Smale
Fixtures
Charlotte Edwards Cup: May 14 – Central Sparks (h), May 18 – Sunrisers (a), May 21 – South East Stars (a), May 29 – Sunrisers (h), June 1 – South East Stars (h), June 4 – Central Sparks (a)
Heyhoe Flint Trophy: July 2 – Lightning (a), July 9 – Central Sparks (h), July 16 – Sunrisers (a), July 23 – South East Stars (h), Sept 9 – Southern Vipers (a), Sept 11 – Northern Diamonds (h), Sept 17 – Thunder (a)
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