Vipers seal deal for Wisden Women's Cricketer of the Year

New Zealand captain Suzie Bates has signed for the Southern Vipers

The New Zealand captain is one of the power hitters of the women’s game and the 28-year old finished the recent ICC Women’s World T20 as the fourth leading runs-scorer in the competition.

New Vipers batsman Bates said: ‘It’s all really exciting.

‘Having played in the Women’s Big Bash in Australia, as soon as I heard about the Kia Super League I knew I wanted to be a part of it – it’s a great chance to play some more really high quality cricket.

‘I loved playing alongside Lottie (Charlotte Edwards) in the WBBL in Perth, and learnt a lot from her out there, so I am sure that this will continue with the Vipers in England this summer.

‘The quality of the Kia Super League is set to be really high, we saw that with the WBBL – all of the overseas players really contributed to the competition, and the Kia Super League is certainly shaping up to be another brilliant showcase for the women’s game.’

Bates joins the Vipers alongside White Ferns team-mate, Sara McGlashan, and Australia’s right-arm seamer, Megan Schutt.

All-rounder McGlashan, who is hugely experienced with 76 T20 international appearances to her name, enjoyed an impressive campaign with the bat in the inaugural season of Women’s Big Bash, hitting 366 runs at an average of 30 for the Sydney Sixers as they finished runners-up.

Twenthy-three-year-old Schutt, who was born in Adelaide, was Australia’s leading wicket-taker in the recent ICC Women’s World T20, taking seven wickets at an average of just 15.8 as the side reached the final, but finished runners-up to the West Indies.

The trio will make their debuts for the Southern Vipers against the Surrey Stars on Sunday, July 31 at the Ageas Bowl.

Tickets for the Ageas Bowl’s Southern Vipers matches can be purchased online, over the phone on 0844 847 1863, or by visiting the Ageas Bowl’s Ticketing & Membership Office via normal working hours.

Hampshire Cricket Members are entitled to free admission to all of the Southern Vipers’ home fixtures in 2016. g