Southern Vipers 91 lost to Western Storm 93-1 by nine wickets

SOUTHERN Vipers suffered a third successive defeat against Western Storm at Arundel.

Smriti Mandhana continued her glittering start to the Kia Super League as the Indian star smashed 43 not out to hand the defending champions a bonus point victory.

In a re-match of both the 2016 and 2017 finals, Vipers were bowled out for their lowest ever total.

Mandhana, on the back of an unbeaten 52, 37 and 48 to start the campaign crashed 43 off 27 to set up a nine wicket victory.

Southern Vipers captain Suzie Bates said: “The Storm played incredibly well, we can’t take anything away from them.

“We should have won up at Lancashire and it can knock the team’s confidence.

“We are lacking confidence at the moment but it takes one win to turn it around and this group works incredibly hard.”

Sara McGlashan hit a 28-ball 31 but Amelia Kerr (11) was he only other Viper to reach double figures.

“With the bat we just looked a bit timid and some poor execution; we tried to play our shots but maybe not at the right time.

“It looked a different wicket when they were batting on it.

“We showed a bit on intent behind the wicket but that was the wrong option as they showed how good it was when you hit down the ground and through the ball – only McGlashan did that for us.”

Vipers play the Yorkshire Diamonds at York tomorrow.