It can be frustrating when a ‘Team of the Tournament’ is put together and if that team actually played a match, there would be heavy imbalance. However, a team of the tournament should also be made up of the players that immediately spring to mind who perhaps play the same role on their respective side.
So, here are a list of XI players (not a team of the tournament) who in theory could take the field together but their main thing in common is that they have been memorable in this last edition of the Lottie Cup.
Seren Smale – Lancashire Thunder (batter)
The famously chirpy Seren Smale has been a standout figure in a struggling Lancashire Thunder side. In total, Smale scored 207 runs from her nine innings in a Thunder shirt. Her highest score came against Central Sparks where she made 88* in the penultimate group game. It was in a losing cause however, Smale’s strike rate of 144.26 superseded her teammates.
Although it was not her highest, perhaps her most memorable knock was her 39* at Blackpool against the Sunrisers. The latter of her innings was shared with Kate Cross, the pair finding the winnings runs.
Davina Perrin – Central Sparks (batter)
The women’s domestic circuit is full of young promising talent. 17-year-old Davina Perrin is one of those players. A standout moment for Perrin has to be at Worcester against the Sunrisers where she scored a remarkable 79*. The innings was made up of a plethora of shots involving two sixes. Her total came from a mere 48 balls and proved a winning knock.
Tallying 245 runs across the tournament, Perrin also scored a confident 32 from 19 deliveries in the semi-final.
Kathryn Bryce – The Blaze (all-rounder)
It’s difficult to know where to start with Kathryn Bryce. She is in her prime and she is just unstoppable. Heading into finals day, Bryce was topping the run table by a significant margin. Falling just short of a half century in the semi final and scoring 62 from 45 in the final, Bryce extended this lead, finishing with 478.
It was fitting that Kathryn batted alongside sister, Sarah, as the sun set in the final, some of the crowd singing ‘Flower of Scotland’ while the pair knocked off the runs.
Hollie Armitage – Northern Diamonds (all-rounder)
Northern Diamonds have by no means had an easy time in the Lottie Cup. Their first five games were winless, and they only managed three wins across the tournament. However, skipper Hollie Armitage finished the competition as the second top run scorer, with a strong 323 runs. Her 97 against the Western Storm – a game that they won – will take the headlines. But, her 69* against the Vipers, in a losing cause, was both memorable and a real captain’s knock.
Jo Gardner – Sunrisers (batter)
It’s been a disaster class for the Sunrisers in the T20s. Two wins and eight losses are not quite what they would have set their sights on, but it has not all been doom and gloom. Top order batter, Jo Gardner, delivered consistently strong performances for her side – not necessarily reaching huge mile stones but always getting runs. Totalling 244 runs, the 4th highest in the table, her 79* versus the formidable Southern Vipers stands out as a highlight in the competition.
Abbey Freeborn – Central Sparks (wicketkeeper batter)
Abbey Freeborn is one of regional cricket’s unsung heroes. Freeborn has stepped up on a number of occasions for Sparks and is just a solid wicketkeeper-batter. She has very much been among the runs in the Lottie Cup, scoring 239. Her top score of 71* against the Lancashire Thunder and stellar partnership with Amy Jones aided Sparks to the win. Her innings was the antidote to Seren Smale’s day out with the bat.
While the role of a specialist wicketkeeper is becoming more common in the women’s game, Freeborn is a keeper who also gets into the side as a sole batter. On occasion, Amy Jones has taken the gloves when available, but Freeborn has continued thrive in whatever role she takes.
Charli Knott – Southern Vipers (all-rounder)
If Charlotte Edwards selects you to be the sole overseas player for her side, it’s a very big compliment but naturally, it comes with a bit of pressure. A side full of serial winners and you are the player they pick to join that squad. Aussie all-rounder, Charli Knott, has lived up to that expectation, raking in runs and wickets aplenty! Her tournament finished in the semi-final, the Vipers unable to win three years consecutively however, her tallies of 16 wickets and 217 runs are pretty impressive.
Kirstie Gordon – The Blaze (slow left-arm orthodox)
The Blaze captain, Kirstie Gordon, not only lead the side to their inaugural piece of silverware, but she also finished the Lottie Cup as the leading wicket taker. With a stellar 22 wickets and an economy of 5.88 – the third highest of any finalist – she has been instrumental in The Blaze’s success.
Tilly Corteen-Coleman – South East Stars (slow left-arm orthodox)
Ahead of the Charlotte Edwards Cup final, South East Stars captain described 16-year-old Tilly Corteen-Coleman as ‘annoying’. I’m sure she is a lovely person but for anyone to see a 16-year-old bowl as well and take as many wickets as Corteen-Coleman does, it probably is annoying!
After featuring for England U19 in a tri series in Sri Lanka, Corteen-Coleman made her Stars senior debut in the Lottie Cup. Only a few games later, she took a hattrick and 5/19 overall – quite the way to announce yourself into senior cricket.
In the Lottie Cup, she’s accumulated a total of 16 wickets – the joint second highest in the tournament.
Amanda Jade Wellington – Western Storm
Western Storm have had a poor few seasons. They do not particularly get close to finals day in wither trophy and are sometimes treated like the ‘easy win fixture’. However, recruiting fringe Australia player, Amanda-Jade Wellington has been a positive move. The leggie has taken 12 wickets in the Lottie Cup and even contributed 124 runs with the bat.
Katie Levick – Northern Diamonds
Katie Levick, the stalwart and legend of women’s domestic cricket. She just keeps on delivering. Like a fine wine she seems to get better with age and the proof is in her numbers. The 6th top wicket taker in the tournament, Levick has 14 to her name despite the Diamonds’ shaky start. The 32-year-old has taken multiple wickets most matches and continues her strong form.
Honourable mentions: Em Arlott, Josie Groves, Erin Burns, Grace Scrivens
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