Felicity Leydon-Davis named captain of Hamilton Northern Spirit

Hamilton Nothern Spirit will have a new skipper for the 2019-20 season of Hallyburton Johnstone Sheild, with Felicity Leydon-Davis given charge of the team for the opening round of matches beginning on Saturday (November 16).

The allrounder, only 25, has been part of the Northern Spirit squad for the last 10 years. However, their match against Canterbury Magicians at the Hagley Oval on Saturday, will mark her first stint as skipper.

"Being my home province and having played here for 10 years, I'm just very proud to be able to lead the side," Leydon-Davis said. "We've got an incredible group who work very hard and we're building a strong team culture, so to lead that and have an influence on that is really special."

Leydon-Davis' first experience as captain came during her time in the United Kingdom last year, where she led the Devon county side to their division T20 title. The right-hander, hopes to bring fresh perspective to the role and also create an environment that encourages players work together and confidently take on challenges.

"We need to be very clear of our plans to get everyone working as a unit and bringing the side together," she said. "I'd like us to operate from the 'we' aspect, making sure that we create a supportive and positive environment where we are really backing one another and celebrating each other's successes."

During the pre-season camp, the squad had an opportunity to try and put this ethos in to practice. The skipper was impressed with what she saw and believes the team is ready to now take on any challenge.

With experience at the international level, Leydon-Davis, Bernadine Bezuidenhout and Caitlin Gurrey add much needed depth and experience to the squad - more so with the bat. To boot, Ireland international, Eimear Richardson will appear for the team bringing with her the knowledge of more than 70 international games.

"The depth has really grown; there are a lot of good young players coming through and the group of core senior players are coming together well."

This 'depth' has allowed Northern Spirit to bring in three untested players for the matches on Saturday and Sunday (November 17). Lauren Heaps, Shriya Naidu and Makayla Templeton have been added to the squad and could be in line to make their debuts.

Squad: Felicity Leydon-Davis (c), Kate Anderson, Bernadine Bezuidenhout, Carolyn Esterhuizen, Katie Gurrey, Lauren Heaps, Olivia Lobb, Lily Mulivai, Shriya Naidu, Eimear Richardson, Alisha Rout, Makayla Templeton.