LAUREN WINFIELD is targeting a big Kia Super League campaign for the Yorkshire Diamonds - and herself personally.

The Diamonds captain and England top-order bat is confident a new-look squad can secure a top-three finish in the group stage to qualify for Finals Day at Hove on August 27.

Stamford Bridge starlet Winfield takes her side to Taunton for Sunday’s televised opener against champions Western Storm (2.30pm), although they will have to do without star all-rounder Katherine Brunt due to a back injury which also rules her out of next Friday’s Roses clash at Headingley.

Winfield, 27, also says this competition provides her with the ideal opportunity to stake a claim for this winter’s World T20 in the West Indies, with her currently on the fringes of the white-ball sides.

“With there being 10 group games as opposed to five, I think it’s going to be a better competition, and I’ve got really high expectations of the group,” said Winfield.

“Our goal is to be at Finals Day. From there, anything can happen. But we have to have our sights set on that.

“It’s different personnel in the group. We only have six or seven players from last year.

“Myself and Paul (Grayson, coach) felt we needed to make a shift in terms of bringing in more youth with potential and energy. We’ve also had a change with our overseas players. Hopefully that strengthens our side.

“Looking at the performances of Beth Mooney over the last 12 months, she’s one the best female T20 players on the planet at the minute.

“Delissa Kimmince has also had a fantastic last six to eight months with Australia, especially with the ball. But having seen her playing for the Brisbane Heat, she’s a much better batter than where she is in the Australian team. She is a genuine all-rounder.

“Chamari Atapattu also performed well for us last year.“

Winfield continued: “Katherine’s a huge loss, and we’ve also lost Hollie Armitage (knee) for the best part of a year.

“Other girls have to take responsibility for the void Katherine leaves.

“There will be more responsibility given to Beth Langston as the lead seamer, and Delissa has experience of that as well.

“Delissa bats four and five for Brisbane and has done a good job over the last couple of years in the Big Bash. She will certainly get an opportunity to be a genuine all-rounder.”

Storm, boosted by England trio Heather Knight, Anya Shrubsole and Fran Wilson, beat the Diamonds by 10 wickets at York last year, with Winfield admitting: “They’re a good side led well by Heather.

“Sunday will be a big challenge and a good marker to say ‘How are we travelling, where are we - are we competing with the best or have we got a way to go?’”

Since winning the one-day World Cup on home soil last July, Winfield has only played six times for England, including their last two ODIs against New Zealand last week. The last of her 18 career T20 appearances came a little over two years ago.

She added: “I’ve had a bit of a dry time with runs and opportunity for England. This summer I’ve felt I’ve been playing really well, but there’s just no gap to get into that line-up.

“T20 isn’t something I’ve played a lot of internationally, so 10 games is a fantastic opportunity to expose myself in this format looking ahead to the World Cup in the Caribbean.”