Experience key in title defence, says Laura Marsh

The England offspinner was in superb form, taking three for 17 as Stars began their campaign with a nine-run victory over Yorkshire Diamonds at Headingley on Tuesday

Laura Marsh says the experience Surrey Stars gained from their 2018 Kia Super League victory could prove crucial in their title defence.

The England offspinner was in superb form, taking three for 17 as Stars began their campaign with a nine-run victory over Yorkshire Diamonds at Emerald Headingley on Tuesday.

It was their fifth successive win in the competition including four successive victories last year that took them to their first title.

Marsh said: “We didn’t feel any added pressure as champions, but we do take confidence as a squad from knowing that we have come through pressure situations before and, as a group, we have all performed really well at different times.”

The 32-year-old picked up the wickets of Hollie Armitage, Indian star Jemimah Rodrigues and Leigh Kasparek but hers wasn’t the only important contribution in a tight game played on a dry pitch which encouraged the spinners.

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Sarah Taylor used all her experience to make 43, while skipper Nat Sciver picked up two wickets.

Surrey’s squad is largely unchanged from 2018 with the same three overseas players – Lizelle Lee, Dane van Niekerk and Marizanne Kapp – while Taylor, Sciver and Marsh remain as their England trio. And Marsh believes continuity is important if they are to defend their title. 

“It’s actually quite refreshing to have the same kind of faces around and I think it creates a bit of clarity,” she said.

“And from a captain and coach’s point of view you know who you can call on at different times.”

With ten games squeezed into 21 days, coach Richard Bedbrook says there will be an element of rotation to keep his players fresh.

Grace Gibbs, Amy Gordon, Eva Gray and Hannah Jones missed out on Tuesday but they will get an opportunity at some stage.

He said: “It’s a really tough schedule compared to recent years, so our recovery and preparation has to be right. We’ve got back-to-back games for the first time and a tight turnaround between most matches so everyone in the squad has to be ready to play.”

Stars play their first home game on Thursday when they take on Lancashire Thunder at Guildford (2.30pm) and Marsh says they will go into the game in good heart.

“We will take a lot of confidence from this,” she said. “It’s a new game, a different wicket and we have to go from there but after Tuesday’s win we’re looking forward to it.”

Courtesy of the ECB Reporters Network

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