"Southern Vipers are again the team to beat" - Tash Farrant

Tash Farrant has revealed that the Southern Vipers are yet again the team to beat on the eve of their defence of the Kia Super League title.

The left-arm seamer, 21, was part of the Vipers’ side that claimed a seven-wicket victory over the Western Storm in the inaugural final of the tournament at Chelmsford in 2016.

Ahead of the tournament, which begins on 10 August against Western Storm at the The Ageas Bowl, Farrant said: “Obviously everyone wants to beat us this year but we got a really good squad and we are ready to keep our title.”

That squad now includes England pocket-rocket batsman Danni Wyatt and West Indies’ 2016 World T20 hero Hayley Matthews, both moving to the club from Lancashire Thunder.

Farrant was full of praise for the new recruits, sending out a warning message to the other teams in this year’s competition.

"Danni [Wyatt] is so bubbly and an unbelievable batter and fielder. With those two in we have such powerful batting. Our line-up does look unbelievable; it’s never ending. If I was another team, I would be a bit worried.”

Farrant didn’t believe the Vipers had the “best team on paper” in 2016 but triumphed as a squad that was bound together closely.

“We worked really well as a team and we did a lot together,” she recalled. “We all stayed in accommodation together and we had really good team cohesion.”

The left-arm seamer cited the leadership of legendary captain of the squad Charlotte Edwards and New Zealand skipper Suzie Bates in charting that course to victory.

“You are always going to be in good stead with those two,” she said, having played under Edwards in county cricket since she was 14.

“She has always been my captain; I love playing under Lottie. She is so focused and knows so much, but is so good because she can also have a right laugh, especially now since she retired. I think she is really enjoying the Vipers.”

The defending champions do lose some experience in the middle order with both Lydia Greenway and Sara McGlashan - the two who were in the middle when the title-winning runs were scored last summer - both declining the chance to be part of the title defence.

They also miss out on the services of South African captain Dane van Niekerk, sitting out due to an injury acquired during the recent World Cup in England and Wales. An overseas replacement will be named imminently.

The Southern Vipers demonstrated first-hand last year of giving opportunities to younger players too, with no better example than Linsey Smith, the teen spinner starting the season outside of the squad altogether before becoming an integral member of the champion side.

“Linsey got roped in and first game took a four-for,” Farrant said.
“She then played well and got straight into the England Academy. The Kia Super League is perfect for the County and younger girls coming through. It’s how the girls playing county can show themselves.”

Reflecting on how own game, Farrant says the competition is the “key” part of her summer as one of three contracted England players not to feature in the triumphant World Cup campaign.

“The girls did unbelievably in the World Cup,” she said. “This is the time where the players who missed out and the Academy girls need to show what we can do so this tournament is really important for us. You want to show yourself on the big stage.”

Farrant acknowledges that it hurt not being part of the squad during a home World Cup, where England beat India in a thrilling final at Lord’s, but that she has age on her side in trying to break into the national team on a regular basis.

“The Kia Super League is so important to show what I can do it against the best players in the world.”

Southern Vipers begin their title defence of the Kia Super League against Western Storm at the The Ageas Bowl. The game will be part of a double-header of cricket, with the Vipers kicking-off proceedings at 2:30pm, with Hampshire facing Glamorgan in a crucial NatWest T20 Blast fixture at 6:30pm. Follow the link below to buy tickets for the clash, but remember, gates open at the earlier time of 1pm.