MONDAY afternoon saw a number of Western Storm players working in the Indoor School at the Centre of Excellence in Taunton making their final preparations ahead of their warm up match tomorrow (Tuesday) a 50 over contest against Southern Vipers at Sir Paul Getty’s Ground at Wormsley, writes Richard Walsh.

Following Tuesday’s match Storm get their season underway in earnest on Saturday 20th April with an away match against Sunrisers in the Rachel Heyhoe-Flint 50 over Trophy at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff.

Looking ahead to the new season Sophie Luff who had just finished a batting session in the nets said : “There is always an air of anticipation, excitement  and eagerness ahead of the new season . Sadly the weather hasn’t been ideal but the girls are all itching to get out there on Saturday and start the season.”

This season Western Storm will be joined by Australian spinner, Amanda-Jade Wellington. The 26 year old Australian International has played in 14 ODIs, eight IT20s and one Test for her country, taking 30 wickets across the formats.

During her career she has played in 223 T20 matches, taking 266 wickets at an average of 17.40 with a best of five for eight. She has also claimed 143 List A wickets at an average of 25.02 with a best of six for 25.

Regarding the new signing Sophie said: “We are really pleased to have signed Amanda-Jade Wellington, who is a class performer and done it on the big stage. She knows English conditions well because she has been here a few times already in The Hundred and in this competition, and look forward to how she goes for us.

Talking about her own winter Sophie said: “It went really well actually. I spent the first half of it here doing a physical block and some technical stuff with Western Storm and the headed back to Sydney and played a few games for Paramatta which was great and I got to reconnect with people I met out there last time. I also got the chance to get some game time under my belt, which was really good.”

Storm’s head coach Trevor Griffin said: “ We are all very excited and have had a great trip to the UAE as part of our pre-season plan. We had a good run out against Central Sharks on Friday up at Millfield who did a fantastic job getting the game on and we playe Southern Vi[pers tomorrow in a our last pre season.

He added: “Then we play Sunrisers in our opener on Saturday at Cardiff so everyone is chomping at the bit to get out there.”

Following their opener Storm travel to play Northern Diamonds at Headingley on 24th April.