WESTERN STORM will be looking to make up for their 2016 Finals Day heartbreak as the countdown to the new Kia Super League 2017 season begins.

The ‘Storm’ – the women's cricket team which is an amalgamation of Gloucestershire CCC, Somerset CCC and Exeter University – came within a whisker of winning the title last year only to be pipped in the final by Southern Vipers.

There is an instant chance for revenge though as the two sides meet again in the opening fixture of the 2017 competition and there is the added incentive of knowing that the match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports and BBC Radio.

The re-match of last summer’s inaugural Kia Super League Final will precede Hampshire’s NatWest T20 Blast encounter against Glamorgan, and is one of six domestic “double-headers” between the two tournaments, which will all be televised live on Sky Sports, with ball-by-ball commentary also available on BBC Radio.

Western Storm’s 2017 Kia Super League fixtures are as follows: Thursday, August 10 – Southern Vipers v Western Storm (Ageas Bowl double-header with Hampshire v Glamorgan).

Saturday, August 12 – Western Storm v Loughborough Lightning (Cooper Associates County Ground double-header with Somerset v Kent Spitfires).

Sunday, August 20 – Yorkshire Diamonds v Western Storm (York CC).

Wednesday, August 23 – Surrey Stars v Western Storm (Guildford CC).

Saturday, August 26 – Western Storm v Lancashire Thunder (Brightside Ground, Bristol).

This year is going to be a big one for Women’s cricket. With the ICC Women’s World Cup being staged in England and the Kia Super League going from strength to strength the popularity of the game is set to be at an all time high.

The Western Storm squad includes England International Fran Wilson from Minety.