Bates Tips Experienced Vipers To Make History

MATCH PREVIEW

Southern Vipers v Semi Final Winner

Kia Super League Final

Sunday 21 August (3pm start)

Chelmsford

Suzie Bates believes experience can lead the Southern Vipers to victory at Chelmsford on Sunday, with just one win separating the The Ageas Bowl-based side from becoming champions of the inaugural Kia Super League.

New Zealand all-rounder Bates helped the Vipers finish top of the KSL table with a superb run of performances with the bat, averaging 45 in the opening five matches of the tournament, including a 59-run victory over Loughborough Lightning in the final game.

Sunday’s title decider sees Bates, 28, join forces with 36-year-old captain Charlotte Edwards for the last time this summer, as the Vipers take on the winner of a play off between Western Storm and Loughborough Lightning, having crafted a direct route to the final.

“People have joked about us being one of the oldest sides in the competition so two games in the day might have worked against us,” said Bates, named the leading female cricketer in the world by Wisden earlier this year.

“We’re pretty pleased we’ve just got the one - we can sit back and see who the opposition is.”

Bates admitted she’d prefer to avoid Western Storm’s Stafanie Taylor, whose unbeaten knock of 78 led her side to an eight-wicket victory over the Vipers, their only defeat in the Kia Super League to date.

“The way Stafanie batted, I don’t want to see her at the other end when I’m bowling,” she said. “To be fair both Storm and Lightning have some absolutely class players and a lot of depth, so I don’t think it really matters - we’ve just got to play our game.”

Bates took on the role of captain for the Vipers’ second match, skippering against Lancashire Thunder at Blackpool in the absence of Edwards, who had been concussed after a collision with Fi Morris in the opener at the The Ageas Bowl.

Whilst the all-rounder has enjoyed her experience of leading the team, she feels in safe hands when the former England captain is at the helm. To Bates, Edwards is a training partner, advisor and friend.  

“That game in Blackpool was crucial for us,” Bates said. “Having to captain the team with it getting pretty tight, I was looking forward to Lottie getting back on the field.

“I know she’s loving being back playing at this level of cricket. She’s really enjoying the lead-up to the games, and captaining – effectively captaining a bunch of her mates. It’s good to see her out there smiling and enjoying her cricket.”

Bates can take gratification from a collection of inspired efforts with ball and bat this summer, and what better way to seal the inaugural KSL than by becoming champions with victory at Chelmsford on Sunday.

Did you know?

• Suzie Bates has averaged 45 runs
• Arran Brindle is yet to be dismissed in the KSL, having hit 91 runs off 86 balls in four innings.
• Linsey Smith had the best average of any bowler in the group stages (8.1); nobody took more wickets (8).

Vipers Squad: