Southern Vipers award winter contracts to five players

Batter Abi Norgrove, allrounder Megan Sturge, and bowlers Finty Trussler, Charlotte Taylor and Ava Lee have received deals

Southern Vipers have awarded winter contracts to Abi Norgrove, Megan Sturge, Finty Trussler, Charlotte Taylor and Ava Lee.

The deals, which will enable the quintet to train regularly during the off-season, will help develop "player strength in depth", according to regional director, Adam Carty.

The Vipers regularly lose players to international commitments, with Maia Bouchier, Danni Wyatt, Lauren Bell, Charlie Dean, and Freya Kemp all involved with the England setup.

^{Lee, Norgrove, Sturge, and Taylor were all involved in Southern Vipers' 2023 Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy [Philip Brown/Getty Images]}

Lee, Norgrove and Sturge are all products of the Vipers academy and were involved in last season's Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy triumph. Off-spinner Lee was heavily involved, taking 10 wickets in eight appearances.

Taylor, meanwhile, has made 29 appearances for Vipers in all formats since 2020, taking 46 wickets. She made a name for herself with a six-wicket haul in the 2020 Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy final, finishing with a competition-leading 15 wickets and a winner's medal despite only being brought in as a late injury replacement.

Trussler, 20, made her 1st XI debut at the back end of 2022, playing in two 50-over matches, but did not feature last season.

"2023 proved that player strength in depth at a club is essential to remaining competitive across a full six months of competition," said Carty.

"The Vipers are delighted to be able to reward these five highly effective players with a winter retainer, which we hope, will allow them to continue to work at their game, to a point of contributing toward future Viper successes in 2024."

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