Excitement of The Hundred can replace Kia Super League, says Nat Sciver

Sciver’s Surrey Stars won’t be defending their trophy at Finals Day on Sunday, although they at least finished a disappointing campaign with victory over Lancashire Thunder on Wednesday

England all-rounder Nat Sciver believes the potential of The Hundred will more than make up for the demise of the Kia Super League.

Sciver’s Surrey Stars won’t be defending their trophy at Finals Day on Sunday, although they at least finished a disappointing campaign with victory over Lancashire Thunder on Wednesday.

Stars won by 35 runs in Blackpool and South African opener Lizelle Lee offered a taste of what might be on offer in the women’s version of The Hundred by smashing a 17-ball half-century, the fastest ever in the women’s game.

“The Kia Super League has fulfilled a few dreams and was something that was definitely needed in the women’s game,” Sciver said.

“You get to play at world-class venues in front of crowds and on live TV and if younger players and England players of the future are to develop for international cricket that is the sort of pressure they need to play under.

“It has created some momentum and I’m hopeful that it will continue next year in The Hundred.

“For me the excitement of the new tournament over-rides any disappointment that the KSL is finishing. There’s no reason why what was created during the Super League can’t be repeated. It should be even better supported by the crowds and organisation-wise.”

It remains to be seen what sort of totals can be achieved from 100 balls, but Lee’s Blackpool blitz suggests anything is possible.

She scored 75 off just 28 balls with 13 fours and three sixes in a game reduced to nine overs each by rain.

“As a batter 100 balls should definitely give you more freedom,” said Sciver. “A player like Lizelle Lee could make a difference and I’m hoping it’s the sort of innings we’ll see more of.”

Unfortunately for Surrey, Lee found her form too late and Sciver admits that their lack of consistency in the top order wrecked their chances of defending the title.

“The group was a bit stop-start for us,” added Sciver.

“We won the first two games and then had a couple of close games which we lost, but we didn’t have the consistency you need, especially in batting. Unlike last year we didn’t have a batter set and going through the innings regularly enough.

“But there’s no reason why we can’t keep the core of this squad (for The Hundred). There are two more teams so we should see more of the same players.”

Courtesy of the ECB Reporters Network.