Tammy Beaumont to lead Southern Vipers

Suzie Bates, former New Zealand captain, who led the side in the previous season has also been retained. She is all set to play her fourth season with the Southern Vipers.

https://twitter.com/VipersKSL/status/1151140420145078273

Stafanie Taylor, West Indies captain, and Sophie Molineux, the Australian allrounder, are the club’s two new overseas signings. Taylor previously turned out for Western Storm, while this will be Molineux’s first experience in the league.

The pair replace Amelia Kerr and Mignon du Preez who turned out for Southern Vipers last season.

“Sophie is one of the most exciting young players in the world - she’s dominated the WBBL and won the World T20 with Australia in the West Indies and she’s still only 21,” said Charlotte Edwards, Hampshire’s director of women’s cricket. “Stafanie is the number one all-rounder in world cricket and her record speaks for itself, we’re very lucky to have secured their signings for this year’s KSL.”

Alongside Taylor & Molineux, Marie Kelly, Thea Brookes and Issy Wong will also be joining the set-up for the first time. The trio were all part of Birmingham Bears’ victorious T20 winning side this season, with Wong one of the most exciting fast-bowling prospects in the country and Kelly and Brookes bringing skill and experience to the squad.

Charlie Dean, Maia Bouchier, Lauren Bell, Carla Rudd, Paige Scholfield and Fi Morris all return to the side this year.

“We have assembled a really strong squad this year with some fantastic international and domestic pedigree,” said Nick Denning, Southern Vipers’ head coach. “With three players from Birmingham Bears’ T20 winning side and individuals who have performed well for their counties this summer, we have a lot of players in good form, and our England and international players also add some real star quality to the group. I am delighted Tammy has agreed to lead the side too - she is a natural leader and this is the perfect stage for her to show those qualities.”

“I would also like to thank and congratulate Arran Brindle and Sara McGlashan on their careers and for their contribution to the Vipers over the last three seasons, their professionalism has been outstanding and they have been real standard setters across the squad. It's going to be a very exciting summer,” Denning added.

Southern Vipers Squad: Tammy Beaumont (captain), Danielle Wyatt, Tash Farrant, Suzie Bates, Stafanie Taylor, Sophie Molineux, Charlie Dean, Maia Bouchier, Lauren Bell, Carla Rudd, Paige Scholfield, Thea Brookes, Marie Kelly, Issy Wong, Fi Morris.