Haynes powers Lightning to the top of WCSL table
Opting to field, Lightning put up a strong bowling performance to restrict Storm to 124/6. Smriti Mandhana (29 off 27), Heather Knight (22 off 15) and Stefanie Taylor (18 off 23) all got starts, but failed to turn them into big scores. That had a lot to do with Kirstie Gordon, the Scotland medium pacer, who took all three wickets to return 3/19.
Lightning then lost just one wicket – Sophie Devine (38 off 30) – in their chase, toppling the target in 12.3 overs.
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An impressive trio to dismiss by @kirstiegordon97 for @LightningKSL in the Women's Cricket Super League 👏 pic.twitter.com/NbLF46UNNd
Victory meant they could enjoy the view from the top of the table, heading into the final day of league fixtures.
Devine's fine all-round display was one of the highlights for Lightning. She first returned 2/27, including the wicket of New Zealand teammate Rachel Priest, before putting on a dominant 90-run stand with Haynes.
Devine was dismissed late in the chase by Knight, but Haynes (66* off 40) guided the Lightning past the finish line, adding 35 with Amy Jones (6*).
Lightning have accumulated 31 points from nine games so far. They will take on Yorkshire Diamonds at Leeds on Sunday, and if they can secure a victory, they will proceed directly to the final.
If they lose, however, and Storm win their clash against Surrey Stars, they have a chance to finish on top.