Southern Vipers: Can they finally recover from the loss of Charlotte Edwards?

THOMAS BLOW: The 2016 champions had a poor campaign last year and new captain Tammy Beaumont will be desperate to turn things around

When you think of Southern Vipers, you think of Charlotte Edwards.

The former England skipper has been associated with the team ever since the Kia Super League began in 2016. Yet she’s experienced an indifferent time at The Ageas Bowl since then.

When she became captain three summers ago, she was in charge of a squad that included her former England colleagues Lydia Greenway and Arran Brindle, New Zealand internationals Suzie Bates and Morna Nielsen, and the youth of Linsey Smith, Katie George, and Tash Farrant.

It was a side that oozed quality. They dominated the group stage, winning four of their five games to finish top and automatically qualify for the final. Here they came up against Western Storm, who qualified the hard way by beating Loughborough Lightning just hours before. 

The final was a dream conclusion. Vipers and the England of yesterday – Edwards, Greenway and Brindle – versus Storm and the England of today – Sarah Taylor, Fran Wilson and Anya Shrubsole. Not to mention Edwards’ opposite number, Heather Knight, who replaced her as England captain earlier that summer.

As Storm set them 141 to win, scoreboard pressure was firmly bestowed upon Vipers. But they rallied. Bates made a half-century, Edwards hit 24 off 18, and Greenway’s made an unbeaten 17 off 13 to see them home with seven balls remaining. 

The old guard, with the help of their promising youngsters, had put England’s current generation in their place – and their leader was elated.  

"It’s been a special few months," said Edwards after the match. "Getting a group together with a blank canvas, and then to get to finals day and put in a performance like that is brilliant. I’ve watched these girls grow and develop and that’s been really special."

^{Charlotte Edwards captained Southern Vipers in 2016 and 2017}

The following summer, Vipers looked to defend their crown. In came Danni Wyatt and Hayley Matthews – the teenager who stunned the cricketing world by inspiring West Indies to their maiden IT20 title.

They had all the ingredients for success, and unsurprisingly, they topped the group again. But following them all the way to the final was their big rivals, Storm.

And this time, Knight and her team were not going to let their chance slip away. They chased down a target of 146 with two overs remaining to take the spoils and confirm Edwards’ retirement.

"I don’t want to walk away from the game altogether," said Edwards. "From this format, my time is done. I want to pursue other things: coaching, media work and it just felt right this season. I kind of knew at the start. It was made certain in the middle. My body has given up on me now."

While she couldn’t retire on a win, she did retire on a high. Playing in front of 3,413 spectators shortly after a national side that she helped built won the World Cup at a sold-out Lord’s, Edwards left the women’s game in a much better shape than when she found it. 

As their inspirational leader became director of women’s cricket at Hampshire, Vipers sought her replacement. They managed to secure the services of England star Tammy Beaumont from Surrey Stars, but it just didn’t work out. 

Vipers finished rock bottom of the 2018 KSL, winning just two of their 10 games. There were some big defeats on the way – including a nine-wicket loss to Storm within 10 overs. It was a summer that showed just how much Edwards was missed on the pitch.

^{England's Tammy Beaumont will captain the side in 2019}

The question now is can they bounce back? With the signings of West Indies captain Stefanie Taylor and Australian leggie Amanda-Jade Wellington, they stand a very good chance. 

Beaumont, who has taken over the captaincy from Bates, will be keen to put things right. She’s in good form having scored an ODI century in the Ashes, and, as skipper, she will be desperate for success on her watch. 

All the quality is there for the Vipers and there’s no reason why they can’t go all the way. Will they finally recover from Edwards' retirement? Or will they once again fall way short of the standards set?

2019 promises to be a defining year for the inaugural champions. 

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