MATCH PREVIEW: Western Storm vs Thunder, Charlotte Edwards Cup
Former West Indies star Deandra Dottin says Thunder is her home away from home and is targeting a place at next month’s Charlotte Edwards Cup Finals Day.
All-rounder Dottin, nicknamed the World Boss, admits she is loving life at Emirates Old Trafford, where she is hopeful of T20 success over the next few weeks.
Dottin is in the early stages of her second season as Thunder’s overseas player, and she could hardly be happier.
It is no secret that life in cricket hasn’t been smooth sailing for Dottin recently. The 31-year-old retired from international cricket last August, citing issues with the team environment as a reason behind her decision.
In March, she expressed her disappointment at the Gujarat Giants decision to cut her from their squad for the Women’s Premier League due to confusion surrounding her recovery from a medical condition. Gujarat said she wasn’t fit, Dottin said she was.
But now, in the red of the Thunder, Dottin couldn’t be happier, heaping praise on the region’s environment.
Ahead of the start of the CE Cup T20 competition on Sunday, when Thunder tackle Western Storm at Taunton (2.30pm), the affable Bajan said: "This is my second season playing for Thunder and you could basically say this is my second home.
“It's where I actually feel respected and valued.
"The girls and the staff are a lovely bunch of people. The management staff are actually like mother and father figures, and the girls are like sisters to me.
“It made me want to come back here and play some more cricket just as much as wanting to improve my skills and helping the other girls to improve theirs.
"When I was playing international cricket, it was always important to feel happy and comfortable. But since I retired from international cricket, I've never felt happier or more comfortable in my life than I do here.”
On the WPL confusion, she admitted “disappointment”. But she added: “I'm over it now. It's good to be back where I can be more open.”
After a frustrating start to the summer in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy - two defeats, including one against Storm at Cardiff, two rainy No Results and a tie - Thunder and Dottin have their eyes set on T20 success.
After seven group games - for Thunder, two will be at Emirates Old Trafford and two at Blackpool - the top three teams will all qualify for Finals Day at New Road on June 10. The top team will advance directly to the final and second and third will play an effective semi-final to start the day.
"Cricket is an up and down game, and things don't always go how you want,” said Dottin. “The girls have already improved, and there is more room for improvement.
"Last year, when I came here, it was a big improvement from when I first played here in the Kia Super League. This year, they've improved much more again.
"I don't really set goals or targets, I just try to play free spirited and go with the circumstances. Saying that, I'm definitely hoping to get loads of runs and wickets and put the team in a position where we can get to the semi finals and finals - and have some fun!"
England captain Heather Knight is likely to be available for the Storm, as are Kate Cross, Sophie Ecclestone and Emma Lamb as they build up to the Ashes next month.
Squad
Ellie Threlkeld*, Olivia Bell, Danni Collins, Naomi Dattani, Deandra Dottin, Sophie Ecclestone, Mahika Gaur, Alex Hartley, Liberty Heap, Emma Lamb, Fi Morris, Tara Norris, Seren Smale