Kia Super League: Kate Cross hails Lancashire's overseas stars
"Amy Satterthwaite wasn’t in our first three choices last year and came over because of injury, but it was one of the best things that happened to us. She was brilliant."
Wednesday 9 August 2017 09:33, UK
Kate Cross is backing Lancashire's trio of overseas players to make a big impression on this summer's Kia Super League.
The Thunder welcome New Zealander Amy Satterthwaite back to Emirates Old Trafford for her second campaign, while fellow Kiwi Lea Tahuhu and Australian Jess Jonassen will represent the Red Rose for the first time having recently played in the World Cup.
Batting all-rounder Satterthwaite has handed the captaincy over to Danielle Hazell, which Cross believes will benefit the 30-year-old.
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"Amy wasn't in our first three choices last year and came over because of injury," said the seam bowler. "But it was one of the best things that happened to us because she was brilliant.
"She came over and captained and was exactly what the team needed.
"She's played a lot of international cricket - she played her 100th ODI in the World Cup. That experience, no coaching can give you that. We're obviously delighted to have her back.
"Danni will be captain this, which will take some pressure off Amy.
"It all happened very quickly for Amy last year. In the first training session, she was asking me 'what does she do, who is she?' I was saying 'it's Emma Lamb, she does this, etc'.
"I can't imagine how difficult that would have been for her, but she took it in her stride."
Fast bowler Tahuhu, 26, moves from Surrey Stars and arrived in Lancashire with Satterthwaite back in May ahead of New Zealand's recent World Cup campaign.
"Lea is the quickest bowler in the world at the minute," said Cross. "She didn't have a good game against us for Surrey last year, but I faced her in the nets before the World Cup. I'm glad she's on my team!
"And she had such an incredible winter against Australia. I think they played India as well, and she was the leading wicket-taker. She will be high on confidence.
"Maybe because New Zealand didn't do well in the World Cup, they'll want to come here and do well and win a tournament."
Last year, Lancashire signed Aussie left-arm spinning all-rounder Jonassen, but she pulled out of the tournament before it had started with a knee injury. She is back this year, with Cross excited to finally have the 24-year-old on board.
"I was lucky enough to have played with Jonno in the Big Bash at Brisbane," she said. "I didn't know much about her, to be honest.
"I'd played against her in the Ashes the summer before when she got 99 in the Test at Canterbury and won them the game. I remember people saying at the time 'Jess is one to watch'.
"I lived with her in Brisbane, and she's a real fighter. She will find a way of winning.
"She was batting seven or eight for the Aussies in the World Cup, and I think she's really under-rated with the bat. With the ball, she reminds me of Alex Hartley, who takes crucial wickets.
"The strength of those three, I'm really excited to see them in red."
Tickets for the Kia Super League can be purchased at www.ecb.co.uk/kiasuperleague
