England skipper Knight 'excited' to see how Devon youngsters perform in Western Storm squad | 'Hopefully, the Western Storm can do something really good, like we did with the KSL, and bring some of those younger players through'

By CONRAD SUTCLIFFE

ENGLAND captain Heather Knight is looking forward to the chance to play with Devon’s rising stars Emma Corney and Steph Hutchins for Western Storm in the looming Rachael Heyhoe-Flint Trophy.

The Trophy series gets under way tomorrow (Saturday) when Western Storm play the South East Stars at Beckenham. 

Western Storm have a home game against old rivals Southern Vipers on Bank Holiday Monday.

A 14-strong squad of regional players was announced earlier this week and included Devon’s Steph Hutchins and Emma Corney. Batter Georgia Hennessy, who played for Devon last season, and ex-Devon player Emily Edgcombe are also in the squad.

The Kia Super League, which Storm won twice under the captaincy of Knight, is no more, which means no overseas talent bolstering sides.

The cancellation of England’s international programme due to Covid-19 fears means the national squad is short of match time. Knight and her England colleagues have been shared out around the regions and will play in the first two games.

As a former Plymstock and Devon player in the past, as well as Storm skipper for three years, Knight knew where she wanted to go and is keen to get cracking.

“I played for Western Storm throughout the Kia Super League and we built something really special,” said Knight.

“It looks different to what the KSL did in terms of no overseas (players) but I think it is a really good opportunity to see the region’s youngsters. 

“Coming from Devon myself I am excited to see a few young Devon girls in the squad.

“Hopefully, the Western Storm can do something really good, like we did with the KSL, and bring some of those younger players through.

“Although it’s only going to potentially be for two games, it still means a lot to me to be involved with the team.”

Knight hasn’t picked up a bat or ball in anger since early March since the last group qualifying game in the Women’s World Cup, which was a win over the West Indies at the Sydney Showground Stadium.

After such a long lay-off Knight admitted there may be one or two butterflies about when she goes out to bat.

“I might be a bit nervous first ball as you don’t want to get out first ball on your first game back,” said Knight.

“The excitement will be getting back out there, but strange to be starting the season late in August.”

World Cup winner Anya Shrubsole and England bowler Katie George are the other two international players assigned to the Storm squad.

The full squad is: Sophie Luff (Somerset), Fi Morris (Hampshire), Danielle Gibson (Wales), Claire Nicholas (Wales), Alex Griffiths (Wales), Georgia Hennessy (Somerset), Nat Wraith (Somerset), Lauren Filer (Somerset), Steph Hutchins (Devon), Lauren Parfitt (Wales) , Emily Edgcombe (Cornwall), Niamh Holland (Somerset), Emma Corney (Devon), Abbie Whybrow (Gloucestershire), Heather Knight (Berkshire), Anya Shrubsole (Somerset)., Katie George (Hampshire),