Some of the biggest names in the world of women’s cricket will be centre stage at the Cheltenham Festival a week today.

And those names will surely be a little more well known around these parts after Western Storm take on Surrey Stars in a Kia Super League clash.

The T20 game gets underway at 2.30pm and Lisa Pagett, who is general manager of Western Storm, the franchise team representing the South West – including Gloucestershire – can’t wait for her team to get the chance to showcase their talents.

“There will be some world class players on show, the best in the world,” she said. “We’ve got three overseas players – Stefanie Taylor, Rachel Priest and young Indian Smriti Mandhana – as well as our England players Heather Knight, Fran Wilson and Anya Shrubsole.”

Knight of course captained England to World Cup glory last year with a thrilling nine-run win over India in the final at Lord’s, a game in which Shrubsole was voted player of the match after grabbing 6-46 with her medium pace.

Fran Wilson also played in that game while Western Storm’s all-rounder Stefanie Taylor is captain of the West Indies and Rachel Priest is an experienced wicketkeeper/batsman for New Zealand.

Not surprisingly given the strength of the players at their disposal, Western Storm are well fancied by many to defend the Kia Super League that they won last year.

And while that is obviously very important, Pagett is also just as keen to promote women’s cricket as a whole.

“Last year’s World Cup win has taken the game to another level,” she said. “They achieved things that many sides in any sport don’t achieve.

“They punched above their weight and their success is having an impact everywhere in this country.

“Lots of girls are coming into the game. Cricket clubs are starting up girls’ teams and the message is clear – girls can play cricket and there are places to play.

“There are so many more opportunities for girls today.”

Pagett, 32, was a decent player herself, playing representative cricket for Somerset from the age of 12. She also spent three years as a youngster in England development squads and has played for her country at two indoor World Cups.

These days, as well as her role with Western Storm, she works for the Gloucestershire Cricket Board and has played a huge part in developing women’s and girls’ cricket in the county.

Cricket fans will see for themselves by just how much when Western Storm play Surrey Stars, who themselves boast some top names, at Cheltenham on Thursday 26th July.

“It should be a great day,” said Pagett. “It’s a great opportunity to bring women’s cricket to a new audience.”