Yorkshire's recruitment provides Diamond delight for coach Grayson

Paul Grayson will have Australian duo Beth Mooney and Delissa Kimmince at his disposal alongside Sri Lanka’s Chamari Atapattu as the Diamonds search for their maiden Finals Day appearance

^{Beth Mooney and Delissa Kimmince will play for Yorkshire Diamonds this season}

Coach Paul Grayson believes Yorkshire Diamonds have recruited well, led by their trio of overseas players, for this summer’s Kia Super League.

Grayson will have Australian duo Beth Mooney and Delissa Kimmince at his disposal alongside Sri Lanka’s Chamari Atapattu as the Diamonds search for their maiden Finals Day appearance.

Wicketkeeper bat Mooney was a Diamond in 2016, while big hitting all-rounder Atapattu also returns to Emerald Headingley having played last year.

Seamer Kimmince, a Big Bash team-mate of Mooney’s at Brisbane Heat, gets her first taste of the KSL.

The Diamonds begin their campaign against champions Western Storm at Taunton on Sunday, a televised clash on Sky Sports (2.30pm).

“Beth had a bit of an injury, so she couldn't join us last year,” said Grayson.

^{Head coach Paul Grayson}

“She’s a top player who’s had a very good winter for Australia and was one of the leading run-scorers in the Women’s Big Bash (fourth best with 465 runs from 14 matches, including five fifties).

“She gives us so much balance. She’s going to keep wicket and open the batting.

“The same goes for Atapattu. She’s going to bat three or open and bowl off-spin. 

“It gives you more options and depth. You can play an extra batter or whatever you feel like you need more of.

“I think Beth feels like she has a bit of unfinished business from her previous time with us a couple of years ago. We’re happy with both of those signings.

“Delissa is also a good all-round cricketer.

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“We’ve done a bit of research on her in terms of match-winning contributions and all that kind of thing. She’s played a very important role for Australia recently and is a great character.

“All three, we’re very happy with.”

Grayson continued: “Whenever you are looking for an overseas player - I certainly experienced this in the men’s game - more often than not you look down the route of a New Zealander, Aussie or a South African because you know exactly what you’re getting.

“But all three are strong characters and top players.

“Gareth (Breese, assistant coach) and I are expecting them to have a huge impact on the competition.

“With all teams, there are some very good overseas players. That’s what we want from the competition - the best players playing.”

^{Chamari Atapattu}

Earlier this week, Grayson announced the final member of their 15-player squad would be Katie Thompson, the 21-year-old leg-spinner who played two matches for the Diamonds last summer.

Earlier this summer, she claimed eleven wickets in six one-day Cup games for Yorkshire women, including a best of 5-14 in a win over Hampshire on her home patch at Harrogate.

Thompson is one of only six players who were with the Diamonds last year, with a number of new faces coming from outside the White Rose county. 

Grayson added: “There are a lot of changes, and we’ve had to be a bit ruthless with selection.

“We said that at the end of last year’s campaign when we lost our final game against Southern Vipers at Arundel. 

“We said ‘We’ve got to be better. We’re going to make some tough decisions’. And we have.

“People may say ‘You haven't got as many Yorkshire girls in there’. But girls have to put their claim in. 

“The bigger picture is picking girls who can play for England and developing them. If we pick someone from Derbyshire, Hampshire or wherever, we do it to benefit women’s cricket moving forwards.”