Players to watch in the Women's Super League

Lancashire Thunder

West Indies won the Women's WT20 in April and two of Lancashire's signings were instrumental to their success. Deandra Dottin's power hitting makes her one of the most dangerous batsmen in the world. She has a 38-ball T20 century to her name - it was the first T20 century by a woman - and she is also a handy bowler, taking nine wickets at 13.55 during West Indies' WWT20 campaign. It was rising star Hayley Matthews, however, who stole the show in the final at Eden Gardens. The 18-year-old showed poise and power in making 66 off 45 deliveries as the West Indies defeated three-time champions, Australia. Her innings included six boundaries and three sixes. Lancashire won't be lacking in batting firepower.

Loughborough Lighting

Ellyse Perry is arguably the biggest star in the women's game, and with good reason. The 25-year-old is already a veteran, with nine years of international cricket under her belt. She was Player-of-the-Series when Australia regained the Ashes in England last summer after making more runs and taking more wickets than any other player. While initially seen more of a bowling allrounder, her batting has been a revelation in recent years. The Lightning also have solid all-round support from the experienced New Zealander Sophie Devine and England's Georgia Elwiss will step in as captain for the absent Sarah Taylor.

Southern Vipers

It will be fascinating to see how Vipers captain, Charlotte Edwards, fares in the tournament. Suddenly stripped of the England captaincy at the start of the summer, Edwards has 95 T20I's under her belt and has the chance to prove she's not done yet. She has a couple of formidable New Zealand weapons in her armoury, in Suzie Bates and Sara McGlashan. Bates was recently named the Wisden Women's Cricketer of the Year after an outstanding 2015 as New Zealand captain. The veteran McGlashan was a standout in the WBBL, her explosive batting a key to the Sydney Sixers making the final.

Surrey Stars

Surrey have one of the most promising line ups in the competition, despite the late withdrawal of Australian captain, Meg Lanning. Tammy Beaumont comes into the tournament in the form of her life, having scored back-to-back centuries opening for England against Pakistan - including a magnificent unbeaten 168 - and following up with two half-centuries in the T20Is. She's joined by England's best allrounder, Nat Sciver, who belted 80 runs of 33 deliveries in the second ODI against Pakistan, the fastest half-century in ODIs. Add fiery South African allrounder, Marizanne Kapp, and one of Australia's best bowlers, Rene Farrell, to the mix and the Stars look like a very difficult team to beat.

Western Storm

Two international captains with different styles join forces at the Western Storm with England skipper, Heather Knight, taking the reins and having her West Indies counterpart, Stafanie Taylor, on board. Taylor was outstanding in leading her side to their WWT20 title; she was the highest run-scorer, made a vital 59 in the final and was deservedly named Player of the Tournament. She also took eight wickets in that tournament, giving Knight some terrific options in the bowling: England opener Anya Shrubsole will also give the attack venom, with her inswingers among the best in the women's game.

Yorkshire Diamonds

Katherine Brunt, Shrubsole's opening bowling partner for England, is as Yorkshire as they come and it was no surprise to see her name on the Diamonds' squad list. One of the most entertaining and competitive players in the world, Brunt wears her heart on her sleeve and bats with a ferocity that matches her bowling. Lauren Winfield is another who has blossomed for England under Mark Robinson's new regime; the Diamond's captain made two half-centuries in the T20I series and a century in the ODI series against Pakistan. If she needs any advice, she has Alex Blackwell on hand. The Australian vice-captain led the Sydney Thunder to victory in the WBBL and is one of the canniest tacticians in international cricket.