In a multi-part special, James Piechowski takes an in-depth look at the Kia Super League squads, continuing with Southern Vipers and Loughborough Lightning.

Southern Vipers

Batsmen: 7
Bowlers: 5
All-rounders: 3
Pace bowling options: 7
Spin options: 3 (2 OB, 1LB)
Wicket Keeping options: 2
Left-Handed Batsmen: 2

Possible Team

• Edwards*, Bates, McGlashan, Adams, Greenway, Brindle, Rudd+, Schutt, Morris, Farrant, Gardner

Strengths

• Experience. The top six batsmen are all very experienced players, capable of constructing an innings, and know just how to pace a reply
• One of the better pace attacks in the KSL,which should take early wickets
• Plenty of knowledge and experience in game management, in an on-field brains trust that includes Edwards, Bates, McGlashan, Greenway and Brindle

Weaknesses

• Lack of spin options in their International and Academy players means that Vipers will have to pick one or two more development players than other sides to get any spin options at all.
• Academy players do not necessarily fit the team structure as well as some of their “county” players. Georgia Adams, who had a good recent Academy tour of Sri Lanka, is the only one of three such players looking certain to play
• Batting order, although experienced, is perhaps not the most explosive in the KSL
• Vipers may be at a risk of limiting themselves as they do not have much batting below the top six and so cannot give too many quick wickets away.
• Inexperienced spin attack may lead to over-reliance on pace, and Vipers conceding more runs in the field.

Uncertainties

• We don’t know if, or how much, Arran Brindle will bowl

Prediction

• I think the Vipers’ experience will see them to the top four, and finals day, but they may struggle to progress past this point, against sides with more flexible spin bowling attacks and more aggressive batting.

Loughborough Lightning

Batsmen: 5
Bowlers: 2
All-rounders: 8
Pace bowling options: 7
Spin options: 3 (SLA, LB, OB)
Wicket Keeping options: 2
Left-Handed Batsmen: 2

Possible Team

• A. Jones +, Van Niekerk, Perry, Devine, Elwiss*, E. Jones, Odedra, Scholfield, MacDonald, Langston, Grundy

Strengths

• Exciting and dynamic batting line-up who won’t hold back on their shots, but also have some solidity to back it up
• Some of the best all-rounders in world cricket
• Plenty of wicket-taking bowling options, both in spin and particularly the pace attack
• Most bowlers can also bat, which frees up a slot for any development player, appropriate to the situation
• “Challenger” team with many players looking to impress the England selectors

Weaknesses

• Relatively young and inexperienced team overall in T20
• A glut of all-rounders, which may make it difficult to know the best XI and establish a good, stable batting order
• Too few specialist bowlers increases the likelihood of a bad day in the field.
• Their two main spin bowlers, Grundy and Van Niekerk both turn the ball the same way
• Inexperienced captain in Elwiss, who may have to draw heavily on the field from a brains trust including the experience of Perry and Devine

Uncertainties

• Lightning are in a similar position to Surrey Stars in that they probably have too many all rounders. Again, this makes it difficult to predict an accurate batting order.

Prediction

• Lightning have a shot at a top four place. They should be able to beat anyone on their day. They could be a bit of a hit-or-miss side, and may lack the experience to go all the way in the tournament though. Getting through to finals day may be tight, but if they can do it, it will show their potential.