Kia Super League: Tash Farrant says Southern Vipers are the team to beat
"Our line-up looks unbelievable; it's never ending. If I was another team, I would be a bit worried. We are ready to keep our title."
Sunday 6 August 2017 09:10, UK
Southern Vipers are the Kia Super League champions and again the team to beat.
All with an "unbelievable" batting line-up that has only gotten better from when they raised the trophy last August, according to their attack-leader Tash Farrant.
"Obviously everyone wants to beat us this year," the 21-year-old said. "But we got a really good squad and we are ready to keep our title."
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That squad, victors over Western Storm in last year's final, now includes England pocket-rocket batsman Danni Wyatt and West Indies' 2016 World T20 hero Hayley Matthews, both moving to the club from Lancashire Thunder.
"She is so bubbly and an unbelievable batter and fielder," Farrant said of Wyatt. "Then having Hayley Matthews. With those two in, we have such powerful batting. Our line-up does look unbelievable; it's never ending. If I was another team, I would be a bit worried."
Farrant didn't believe they had the "best team on paper" in 2016 but triumphed as a squad that was bound together closely. "We worked really well as a team and we did a lot together," she recalled. "We all stayed in accommodation together. We had really good team cohesion."
The left-arm seamer cited the leadership of legendary captain Charlotte Edwards and New Zealand skipper Suzie Bates in charting that course to victory.
"You are always going to be in good stead with those two," she said, having played under Edwards in county cricket since she was 14. "She has always been my captain; I love playing under Lot.
"She is so focused and knows so much, but is so good because she can also have a right laugh. Especially now since she retired. I think she is really enjoying the Vipers."
The defending champions do lose some experience in the middle order, both Lydia Greenway and Sara McGlashan - the two who were at the crease when the title-winning runs were scored last summer - have declined the chance to be part of the title defence.
They also miss out on the services of South Africa captain Dane van Niekerk due to an injury acquired during the World Cup, with compatriot Mignon du Preez replacing her.
But Southern Vipers gave opportunities to younger players last year, with no better example than Linsey Smith, the 22-year-old starting the season outside of the squad altogether before becoming an integral member of the side.
"Linsey got roped in and first game took a four-for," Farrant said. "She then played well and got straight into the England Academy. So it is perfect for the county and younger girls coming through. It's how the girls playing county can show themselves."
Reflecting on how own game, Farrant says the KSL is the "key" part of her summer as one of three contracted England players not to feature in the triumphant World Cup campaign.
"The girls did unbelievably in the World Cup," she said. "But the players who missed out, and the Academy girls, this is the time where we need to show what we can do. So this tournament is really important for us. You want to show yourself on the big stage."
Farrant acknowledges that it hurt not being part of the squad during a home World Cup, but that she has age on her side in trying to break into the national team on a regular basis.
"The KSL for me is so important to show what I can do it against the best players in the world."
Tickets for the Kia Super League can be purchased at www.ecb.co.uk/kiasuperleague
