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| Southern Vipers | |
|---|---|
| Name | Southern Vipers |
| Founded | 2016 |
| Ground | Ageas Bowl |
| Capacity | 15,000 |
| Coach | Charlotte Edwards (former), now Adi Birrell |
| Captain | Georgia Adams (former), Charlotte Taylor (current) |
| Competitions | Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, Charlotte Edwards Cup, The Hundred |
Southern Vipers
The Southern Vipers are a professional women's cricket team based in the south of England, formed in 2016 to compete in domestic limited-overs tournaments. They have competed in the Women's Cricket Super League, Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, and Charlotte Edwards Cup, drawing players from counties such as Hampshire County Cricket Club, Sussex County Cricket Club, and Surrey County Cricket Club. The team has been associated with venues including the Ageas Bowl, and have featured international cricketers who have played in competitions like the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup and the Women's T20 World Cup.
The side was established ahead of the inaugural 2016 season of the Women's Cricket Super League alongside franchises such as Western Storm, Surrey Stars, Loughborough Lightning, Nottinghamshire, Yorkshire Diamonds, Lancashire Thunder, and Kia Super League stakeholders. Early leadership involved figures from Hampshire County Cricket Club and former England internationals who had roles in campaigns during the Ashes series era. Success in the WCSL culminated with finals appearances against sides like Western Storm and Surrey Stars, before the reorganisation of women's domestic structure in England prompted participation in new competitions created by the England and Wales Cricket Board. The Vipers transitioned into the regional structure that featured the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy and the Charlotte Edwards Cup, reflecting reforms similar to other domestic restructures such as the establishment of the The Hundred franchises including Southern Brave.
The team adopted colours and insignia reflecting southern counties, often playing home fixtures at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton, with occasional matches at grounds associated with Hampshire County Cricket Club, Sussex County Cricket Club venues and county grounds in Bournemouth and Hastings. Their kit and branding have been aligned with regional partners including county boards and community cricket initiatives tied to organisations such as the England and Wales Cricket Board and local sports trusts. High-profile fixtures have been staged at major venues that have hosted international matches, echoing events like the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2017 and men's ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 warm-up fixtures.
The squad has included a mix of homegrown talent and internationals from cricket-playing nations, featuring players who have represented England women's cricket team, Australia women's cricket team, New Zealand women's cricket team, South Africa women's national cricket team, and West Indies women's cricket team. Notable players have links to academies such as the England Academy and county systems like Surrey County Cricket Club and Sussex County Cricket Club, and to international franchises including clubs in the Women's Big Bash League and the Women's Premier League. Several squad members have been capped in tournaments including the ICC Women's T20 World Cup and the Commonwealth Games cricket events, contributing to a profile that spans from debutants promoted from county cricket to veterans with appearances in the Ashes series and global franchise competitions.
Coaching setups have featured former international captains and coaches with backgrounds at England and Wales Cricket Board, county clubs such as Hampshire County Cricket Club and Sussex County Cricket Club, and partnerships with high-performance units linked to institutions like the Marylebone Cricket Club. Staff roles have included head coach, batting coach, bowling coach, and strength and conditioning personnel who have previously worked with national teams, university sports programmes at institutions like Loughborough University, and performance centres associated with the England Cricket Performance Pathway.
The team has contested formats across 50-over and T20 competitions, competing for trophies including the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy and Charlotte Edwards Cup, and has been involved in fixtures that paralleled the emergence of The Hundred. Records include leading run-scorers and wicket-takers who have featured in domestic leaderboards alongside players from franchises such as Western Storm and Southern Brave, and performances recorded in seasons that coincided with international windows like those used for ICC Women's Championship fixtures. Individual accolades for players have been recognised in domestic awards administered by the England and Wales Cricket Board.
Seasons in the WCSL saw the team reach knockout stages and finals against rivals including Western Storm and Surrey Stars. Under the regional model, seasons in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy and Charlotte Edwards Cup produced championship campaigns and top-table finishes, with matches scheduled around international calendars that included Women's Ashes series and global tournaments such as the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2022. Year-on-year results reflect player availability affected by international commitments involving teams like Australia women's national cricket team and New Zealand women's cricket team.
Development pathways have been established in partnership with county setups like Hampshire County Cricket Club, Sussex County Cricket Club, Surrey County Cricket Club, and educational partners including Loughborough University and regional performance centres. Academy programmes aim to feed talent into the senior squad and the England and Wales Cricket Board pathway, connecting to youth competitions and representative fixtures often contested against academy sides from counties such as Kent County Cricket Club and Essex County Cricket Club. These initiatives align with broader development objectives pursued by bodies like the England and Wales Cricket Board and community partners including local councils and sports charities.
Category:Women's cricket teams in England