Worcestershire Women’s Rapids have included new signing, all-rounder Gabby Basketter, in their squad for the launch of their ECB T20 County Cup Group 2 title defence against Staffordshire at Staffordshire CC on Sunday.
Rapids captain, Chloe Hill, confirmed that Basketter has joined the Rapids on loan from Wales Women, and she is part of a 13-strong squad for the opening doubleheader at 11am and 3pm.
Basketter, who celebrated her 30th birthday this week, also played for Central Sparks in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy at the end of last season.
Portsmouth-born Basketter began her career with Hampshire Women (2009-2012) and has since been part of the Wales squad (2013-2022).
Hill, who has just signed her first professional contract with Southern Vipers, said: “Gabby has come on loan to us from Wales.
“She is an aggressive top-order batter and will certainly strengthen the squad and hopefully get some powerful runs for us.”
Ellie Anderson and Charis Pavely, who helped England Under-19s to reach the final of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup this winter, are included in the squad.
Opener Georgina Macey, the Rapids’ leading run-scorer last summer, is unavailable for the new campaign and has a baby due this weekend.
But spinner Flora Bertwhistle, the Rapids’ top wicket-taker in 2022, is available and will commute from Sussex to play.
Hill is confident the Rapids can give another good account of themselves in the tournament in which they will also face Warwickshire Women and Leicestershire Women.
She said: “It is a good squad. We’ve got a mixture of Academy girls, Central Sparks seniors and girls who have played county cricket for numerous years.
“Hopefully, we can get two wins on the board the first weekend, and it would be nice to continue our T20 streak of form.
“We’ve got a good chance again with the squad; we’ve got to go out and do something special.
