Georgia Adams retains captaincy as Southern Vipers announce 18-member squad

Rachael Heyhoe-Flint Trophy defending champions, announced an 18-member squad for 2021 season on Tuesday (May 18). The squad will feature in the RHF trophy as well as the new Women’s Regional T20 competition. Georgia Adams will continue to lead the side which features four other full-time domestic contracted players- Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier, Tara Norris and Paige Scholfield- along with England internationals Georgia Elwiss and Danielle Wyatt.

All the players who played in the final of the inaugural edition of the 50-over tournament are part of the squad. Charlotte Taylor, who finished as the leading wicket-taker in the tournament after coming in as a replacement, has been retained. She took 15 wickets at an average of 10.13 from five matches including 6 for 34 in the final.

Skipper Adams was the leading run-getter in the tournament with 500 runs at an average of 83.33 from seven matches. 18-year-old Ella McCaughan, who formed an impressive opening partnership with Adams will continue to be part of the side. Leg-spinner Finty Trussler and seam bowler Gemma Lane are the new faces in the squad.

Head coach and former England captain Charlotte Edwards expressed her happiness with the make up of the squad and said even though it’s a young squad, they have lots of experience at the regional level.

“We’re delighted with the squad we’ve selected for this summer. We’ve had an excellent winter of training for the first time as a squad, followed by some important preseason internal fixtures. We have added two exciting young prospects in Gemma Lane and Finty Trussler to our squad, both have been rewarded for their early season form,” Edwards said.

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“Although still a young team we have lots of experienced cricketers at regional level who have aspirations to play at the highest level, which is very exciting. As a squad, we’re determined to build on the success of last season, with the added bonus of being able to play in front of our home fans across the region.”

Vipers will start their campaign to defend the title with the match against Lightning at home on May 29.

Squad: Georgia Adams (c), Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier, Ella Chandler, Charlotte Dean, Ariana Dowse, Georgia Elwiss, Gemma Lane, Cassidy McCarthy, Ella McCaughan, Alice Monaghan, Tara Norris, Carla Rudd, Paige Scholfield, Charlotte Taylor, Finty Trussler, Emily Windsor, Danielle Wyatt.