Visit Hampshire Cricket and Utilita Bowl's online store to get your hands on official replica and supporter kit as well as a range of other merchandise.
Southern Vipers star Danni Wyatt continues to strengthen her claims as a genuine all-rounder
Southern Vipers skipper Tammy Beaumont says she is happy to give Southern Vipers’ team-mate Danni Wyatt more opportunities to strengthen her claims as a genuine all-rounder.
When Wyatt made her England debut in 2010 she was selected in that role but since 2014 has only bowled 41 overs of her off-spin in international cricket as honing her ability at the top of the order took priority.
But off-spin is a skill Wyatt is keen to develop and on Tuesday she took two for 14 as well as making 54 in an opening stand of 100 with Beaumont as Vipers began their Kia Super League campaign with victory over Lancashire Thunder. The scalps of Australian all-rounder Tahlia McGrath and Indian star Harmanpreet Kaur weren’t a bad way to double your KSL wicket tally either.
Beaumont, leading Vipers for the first time, also contributed a half-century as the side who finished last season bottom of the table made a superb start.
She said: “Danni wants to prove she is a genuine all-rounder and she has worked hard on her bowling this year. I’m really keen for that to continue and I will definitely be giving her more opportunities.
“At the end of the Ashes she was badgering me to bowl in the KSL and when she’s your best mate I suppose you’ve got to give her a chance. But she is a good option for us - and she got out two top players.
“A couple of girls didn’t bowl on Tuesday but sometimes you have to go with your most experienced bowlers and certainly at the death it’s good as a captain to have a lot of options.”
Beaumont, who joined Vipers last year from Surrey Stars, would love to emulate Charlotte Edwards’ 2016 team who won the inaugural title. That success was built on an experienced core of players including former England stars Lydia Greenway and Arran Brindle but the accent is very much on youth this season with the likes of 17-year-old quick bowler Issy Wong looking to push their claims over the next three weeks.
“There are only four players here from the original 2016 squad and if you take out Suzie Bates as overseas it’s only three,” said Beaumont. “The team has evolved over the last few years and it would be great for some of us who haven’t been around as long to push for silverware this season and emulate the 2016 team which won it.
“The coach (Nick Denning) and support staff are pretty much the same as well and it would be nice to go out when KSL finishes as champions.”
So far so good after beating Lancashire, but Vipers began 2018 with a handsome win over Surrey Stars before their form nosedived. Next up for them is Thursday’s game at Loughborough before they play Western Storm at the The Ageas Bowl on Sunday.
Beaumont added: “Loughborough will be a tough test on Thursday but it’s a small ground and it could be quite high scoring. Hopefully we will come out on top.”
