Captain Georgia Elwiss makes a welcomed return having led the side to silver success last year after a valiant season topping the league table. The talented all-rounder spent winter with Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash series in Australia securing best bowling figures of 2-10.
Wicket-keeper batsman Amy Jones has also signed on the dotted line. Jones’ impressive 2018 KSL form saw the Loughborough alumna selected for the World T20 competition in West Indies where she was England’s top run scorer with 107 to her name. Jones continued this form into the recent Sri Lanka tour with high scores of 79,76, 57 and 54 to her name
England stalwart Jenny Gunn returns to Lightning for her second season in purple. Having impressed home fans with her pace last season, the fast right armer had Lightning season best figures of 3-10-3 and will most certainly threaten with her variations this season.
Current Loughborough student and chair of the highly successful Loughborough Students offer Kirstie Gordon will also make a warm return to Lightning. Gordon got her England international break through off the back of a highly successful county and KSL 2018 season, taking the most wickets in both formats of the game. However, playing her maiden season for Lightning did not come without sacrifice. Gordon took the risk to withdraw from her international duties with Scotland making her available for the KSL and later England. A tough decision that paid off for the spinner. Performing on the world’s stage Gordon won player of the match on debut taking three wickets against Bangladesh, whilst taking eight wickets across the tournament. Plus, she won the Telegraph’s sporting hero of the month for Novembers success. Gordon’s rise in the rankings will certainly bring a new confidence to the 22-year old this season.
Head coach Rob Taylor said about his England signings:
"It is great to have our four England girls back again this year. The continuity amongst our senior players is key for us and they are all invested in Loughborough doing well in the KSL. All of them had great summers for us last year and we have a nice blend of experience and youthful talent within our allocation. They all know what we are trying to achieve at Loughborough, and they are the right people to be involved in achieving that. It is obviously a shame to lose Linsey Smith, but that gives someone else an opportunity to stand up and perform in this environment."
Lightning’s first game of the KSL season is agaisnt Western Storm on Tuesday 6 August at Haslegrave Cricket Ground.
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