Loughborough Lightning wrapped up their first win from three attempts of the KIA Super League as they thrashed Yorkshire Diamonds by 9 wickets on Sunday.

The Lightning, last year’s runners-up, restricted the Diamonds, now without a win in two matches, to 121 for six thanks to a miserly bowling display dominated by pace off.

Four wickets went to spin, including Sarah Glenn’s excellent one for 17 from four overs of leg-spin. 

Loughborough’s West Indian Hayley Matthews, who opened the bowling and batting, then quickly helped put the game to bed with an unbeaten 54 off 39 balls. 

Lightning boss Rob Taylor believes his side made a statement by bouncing back from two opening defeats, as the build-up to their Trent Bridge bow on Sunday 25 August continues.

“The big thing I’m pleased with is the response from our first two games," said the 29 year old, who is taking charge of his second campaign as Head Coach of the Lightning. 

“We didn’t play the cricket we can (in the opening two games), and there were areas for improvement. Today, I said to the girls, ‘this is an opportunity for us to make a statement with three games on the road.

“The way we came out and controlled the game in the first half was really good. Then, we dominated with the bat and played clever cricket.

“The stats here suggest that teams batting first here in the Super League win games 80 percent of the time. But we saw the wicket, which had been under covers, and thought bowling first would be best."

Australian international Alyssa Healy was dismissed by Hayley Matthews for just 5 runs, helping the Lightning to take control of the contest, early on, leading to off-spinner Sarah Glenn's 1 for 17 helping to restrict Yorkshire to 121/6.

“Getting Healy early was a massive wicket because we could control it all the way through.

“And Sarah has been exceptional in all three games so far. She keeps things simple and bowls good areas.

“She bowled the 19th over, which she hasn’t done loads of, and nailed it."

Chasing 122 for victory, Matthews shared partnerships of 44 in 5.1 overs for the first wicket with Amy Jones - and an unbroken 78 in 8.1 for the second, with Sri Lankan Chamari Atapattu, who crashed 40 off 29, putting the game to bed in double-quick time. 

******

The Lightning will take on Lancashire Thunder at Trent Bridge in the Kia Super League and forms part of a T20 double-header, with Notts Outlaws taking on Yorkshire Vikings on the 25th August.