Interview: Suzie Bates looks forward to leading Vipers

With the third edition of Kia Super League just around the corner, we caught up with Suzie Bates, the Southern Vipers captain for the upcoming competition. We spoke to her about the competition for places, the necessity of senior players, the young players to look out for and the grounds that she is looking forward to competing on.



 



The third season of the Kia Super League is about to start, are you looking forward to it?



It’s exciting, it’s going to be nice to be on the same team as some of the England girls, after having face up against them in this series. I’m really excited we've got Tammy Beaumont and Danni Wyatt. It going to be tough to choose what the batting line-up is going to be, but just excited as there are going to be some go players involved.



 



Having so many good players must be a good thing as a captain?



Absolutely, the way that they have both been playing they will be brilliant at the top of the order. That is a decision we have to make. We have three opening batters so that is a nice luxury to have. So for certain games, you might be able to change things up. It’s also a long season so it will give us a chance to give everyone an opportunity.



 



There is plenty of experience in your squad?



That has been one of the keys to our success in the last couple of years. Having players like Aaron Brindle and Sara McGlashan and just the amount of cricket that they have played. Also what they like off the field to help out those younger players who perhaps haven’t been in the professional environment before. That has been a real key for us making sure we keep senior players involved.



 



Are you excited with some of the younger players you have?



Yes, Katie George, it’s good to see her get a chance opening. She is going to be a really good player for years to come. A fast left-armer you don’t have many of them around, it will be just exciting to see her with the Vipers where she is comfortable with that group.



Charlie Dean as well, who I’ve played a lot of cricket with her at Hampshire, a good off-spin bowler.



 



Has playing county cricket helped you to get to know the players better and what they are capable of?



I think playing the last three years against all the English players you see who is coming through and who the talented players are, so you have an eye who has done well. It helps when putting a 15-player squad because you generally only know the international players. I’ve had a chance to see some of the county players.



 



Some of the Hampshire players have really stepped up this season, being in division one and winning it?



It was unbelievable really. We went into that season and the goal was to stay up. So for those players to perform like they did throughout the season was pleasing. The way we learnt along the way and to win that competition was really pleasing. They did the Twenty-20 cup in the second division and now those young players get to play in division one now.



 



Having had some experience of T-20 cricket is important for the Kia Super League?



Absolutely, when you haven’t played a lot of it especially as a bowler for you to get your head around. The batters are always being aggressive so the more the younger players can play it the more prepared they are for the Super League.



 



You get to play at a number of different grounds how are you looking forward to that?



I love the grounds down south. One thing I don’t look forward to is the travel and the buses up north. Of the grounds we played at last year and this year Arundel is one of my favourite grounds and we get a lot of good support and at the Ageas Bowl, we get a lot of good support there as well. It’s nice to get exposed to as many of the grounds around the country because there are some really beautiful ones.



 



Do you think the competition is going to be tougher than ever?



Absolutely, on paper, I think we have a pretty strong side. Surrey Stars also look good on paper and Western Storm have always competed, but I think with it being a ten-game competition it is going to bring it even closer together.