KSL TEAM GUIDE: The Australian wicketkeeper-batter cannot stop scoring runs for her country, and the Diamonds will be desperate to see that form transferred to the KSL
Overseas players: Alyssa Healy (Australia), Jemimah Rodrigues (India), Leigh Kasperek (New Zealand)
Titles: 0
Finals Days: 0
Coach: Danielle Hazell - An England World Cup winner in 2017 who has returned to Yorkshire colours but as head coach. Hazell started her Kia Super League career with the Diamonds before moving to captain Lancashire Thunder. She hung up her boots in the winter and has since replaced Paul Grayson in charge.
Captain: Lauren Winfield - Experienced opening bat who has skippered the Diamonds in each of the three previous KSL campaigns and will almost certainly pass the 500-run mark in this competition over the next few weeks. Like Hazell, won the one-day World Cup on home soil in 2017.
Yorkshire Diamonds did not start the KSL as they would’ve liked in 2016, finishing in fifth place after securing just one victory.
The 2017 season was no better as they came fifth again, this time securing two wins out of five.
The 2018 KSL once again saw Yorkshire secure a fifth-place finish with three victories in the tournament. Thus they’ll be looking to better their performances this year to finish the KSL on a high note.
Alyssa Healy
The two players to watch for the Diamonds this year are without a doubt Alyssa Healy and Jemimah Rodrigues.
Australian wicketkeeper-batter Healy is in the form of her life, nothing seems to faze her and she thrives off pressure and big games.
She has consistently performed for Australia and her recent form in the Women’s Ashes suggests she is more than ready to make a significant impact in the KSL too.
Healy also played a crucial role in Australia’s T20 World Cup victory last November. She was the Player of the Tournament and scored 225 runs at a strike rate of 144.23 in six matches.
Healy is a very experienced T20 player, having represented Australia in 94 T20Is. In doing so, she has scored 1,461 runs at a strike-rate of 122.56. It is her attacking prowess that has catapulted her to one of the world’s best women’s cricketers.
At just 18 years of age, Rodrigues has already played 25 T20Is for India and has scored 608 runs at an average of 30.40, with an impressive strike rate of 123.57.
Although Rodrigues has not played in the KSL before, she has a lot of experience on the international stage and recently played in the Women’s T20 Challenge in India. In the three matches, Rodrigues hit 123 runs at an average of 61.5, with a high score of 77 not out. If Rodrigues continues on her current path, stardom must surely beckon for this talented youngster.
A notable strength of the Yorkshire Diamonds is their top and middle-order partnerships.
On many occasions, the Diamonds’ batters have formed vital stands to set a desired total or to chase down a score.
Although their KSL campaigns have not been as successful as desired, they have frequently responded well to the loss of a cluster of wickets.
Jemimah Rodrigues
A susceptibility to be bowled out within their 20 overs. The Diamonds have, at times, lost vital overs to set a competitive and potentially match-winning score.
In their 2017 campaign they were bowled out for 100 in 19.5 overs against the Surrey Stars and for 108 off 18.3 overs against the Southern Vipers.
In the 2018 KSL campaign they were bowled out for 101 in 18.2 overs against Lancashire Thunder and 143 in 19.5 overs against the Southern Vipers.
Yorkshire have secured some excellent overseas signings which should boost their chances of an improved KSL campaign. But Finals Day might just be a step too far.
Alyssa Healy has achieved a new Guinness World Record recently for the highest catch of a cricket ball (dropped from 82.5m).
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