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Lauren Bell says the inaugural Women's Premier League will help bring a new audience to women's cricket and put it on the map even more
During England's Women's T20 World Cup match against Ireland, arguably the most important moment in the history of women's cricket was taking place in Mumbai.
The Women's Premier League (WPL) auction was taking place, as five teams sought to build world-beating squads, as only the third women's franchise league began to take shape.
Southern Vipers' and England fast bowler Lauren Bell was bought by the UP Warriorz franchise for INR 30 lakh (approx £30,000) whilst she was picking up her first World Cup wicket in South Africa.
Bell said: "I knew that if I was goin to get picked, it wasn't going to be until whilst the game was going on so I wasn't too fussed about the whole thing in the morning.
"We gave our phones in and then the focus was just on the game and then after the game I hadn't got my phone back yet and Jonathan Finch [Director of England Women] was like 'Belly have you heard the news?'
"I was so shocked, and Lewy [Jon Lewis, England Women and UP Warriorz Head Coach] was in the room at the same time and I was like 'For what team?' and he [Finch] was like 'For Lewy's team.'"
Bell's England teammates Nat Sciver-Brunt (Mumbai Indians), Sophie Ecclestone (UP Warriorz), Alice Capsey (Delhi Capitals), Sophia Dunkley (Gujarat Giants), Heather Knight (Royal Challengers Bangalore), and Issy Wong (Mumbai Indians) were also picked up in the WPL, with Southern Vipers Head Coach Charlotte Edwards calling the shots at the most successful men's IPL franchise.
Mumbai Indians secured the signings of current India captain Harmanpreet Kaur, New Zealand all-rounder Amelia Kerr, West Indies captain Hayley Matthews, World Cup finalist Chloe Tryon, and many more, as the women’s franchise aim to emulate the men’s success as five-time IPL champions.
“I haven’t spoken to Lottie [Charlotte Edwards] directly about it but I have no idea how they’re going to go.
“Every team has big names, every team has a superstar, and I can’t predict how it’s going to go.”
The matches are being played at the DY Patil Stadium and Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai, a city of over 12 million people.
“It’s crazy,” Bell said, “It’s amazing how many fans there are and how exciting everything is and all the media and everything that goes with it.
“I knew before I came here that it was going to be massive and it was going to be crazy, but it’s just exceeded all my expectations.”
Whilst the UP Warriorz will be displaying a kit of yellow and purple, Bell will have to do without a tradition from the recent T20 World Cup.
Both Bell and spinner Sophie Ecclestone sported French plaits, and aim to have different hairstyles for each format.
But, unfortunately, she might have to change it up in India whilst the designated hairdresser in the England Women dressing room, Freya Davies, is away.
Bell said: “[Freya] would always do them for us, and she’s obviously not out here with us, so we’re not going to be able to do it for eachother.
“Unless we can find someone else in the team that can do French plaits, it’s unfortunately not going to be a thing.”
Bell’s UP Warriorz play their first game in Sunday 5th March against Gujarat Giants, whilst Charlotte Edwards’ Mumbai Indians kick the tournament off, also against the Giants on Saturday 4th.
The best way to watch Southern Vipers is with a Hampshire Cricket Membership.
Memberships for 2023 are now on sale, from £180 for a standard membership, whilst junior and young adult memberships start at £25.
A Hampshire Cricket Membership provides the chance to be part of the Hampshire family and incorporates a whole host of exciting benefits for 2023.
Members are at the heart of everything that happens at Hampshire Cricket and The Ageas Bowl, and the Club continuously looks to improve the Membership offering.
Tickets for Southern Vipers' 2023 season are now on sale, for both Charlotte Edwards Cup and Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy campaigns.
Tickets for Southern Vipers fixtures are available at the cheaper, Advance rate until 11:59pm the day before the matchday, after which ticket prices will change to the On The Day rate for that match.
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