Courtesy of nzcricketmuseum.co.nz
2016 will be an historic northern summer with the launch of the Kia Super League bringing some of the world’s best cricketers to England for an exciting new T20 competition. Among the globe-trotting players taking part are a group of our own WHITE FERNS, while a few other New Zealanders will also be involved in the women’s County Championship.
Here are the details of where you’ll find our cricketers in action at the top level of English cricket this winter ... in no particular order!
Suzie Bates - Kent
As the freshly-minted Leading Cricketer of the Year, securing the services of Suzie Bates is quite a coup for Kent. The winners of Division 1 in 2014 and runners-up last year, Kent have a history of success in County Cricket and they’ll be hoping the inclusion of Suzie helps them regain the title. It’s the start of a lengthy stint in England for Suzie this season as she’ll move east for the inaugural Kia Super League where she'l turn out for the star studded Southern Vipers which also includes recently-retired England captain, Charlotte Edwards. As one of 18 overseas players in the KSL, Suzie should benefit greatly from her early-season experience with Kent, giving her a taste of the conditions that few other imports will get.
Sara McGlashan - Southern Vipers
Sara McGlashan proved to be one of the stars of inaugural Women’s Big Bash League in Australia last season, something the Vipers will be hoping she can repeat in the KSL. Sara adds to a wealth of experience in the Vipers’ squad which, with Bates, Edwards, McGlashan, & Lydia Greenway, boasts four of the 12 most experienced T20I players in history.
Rachel Priest - Western Storm
Among the 18 imports in the Kia Super League there is just one wicketkeeper; Rachel Priest. This underlines the credentials of the WHITE FERNS’ ‘keeper, who joins one of the game’s biggest stars, WT20-winning captain Stefanie Taylor, at the Storm. Rachel has some experience with County Cricket in England after a season with Staffordshire in 2010. While she only made two T20 appearances, one of those saw her hit 67 off 43 balls in a big win over Durham.
Sophie Devine - Loughborough Lightning
Loughborough probably isn’t a name familiar to most New Zealanders, but the university town in Leicestershire should grow in popularity this winter with the WHITE FERNS’ Sophie Devine heading there for the Kia Super League. The Lightning are stacked with allrounders as Australia’s Elyse Perry and South Africa’s Dane van Niekirk complete the import spots in the squad alongside Sophie. The trio are currently ranked numbers 1, 2, and 6 respectively on the ICC’s top T20I allrounder rankings giving the Lightning plenty of firepower with bat and ball.
Holly Huddleston - Middlesex
After taking 5 for 36 in just her second WHITE FERNS’ ODI in 2014, Holly went on to have her best domestic season 2015-16, averaging under 18 with the ball in the 50-over competition. Those performances have seen her get an opportunity in Division 1 County Cricket with Middlesex who will be looking to improve on their mid-table finish in 2015.
Lauren Down - Oxfordshire
Fresh off a career-best domestic season with the Auckland Hearts, Lauren has joined Oxfordshire for a taste of Division 3 County Cricket. As well as playing for Oxford Cricket Club and Oxfordshire, Lauren will also be involved with coaching during her time in England’s South East. Oxfordshire are excited about what Lauren will bring to their thriving women’s cricket development programme.
