Two overseas players signed to strengthen Sparks

THE Otago Sparks have signed two overseas players to strengthen their playing stocks.

New South Wales and Sydney Thunder allrounder Lisa Griffith (26) has agreed to play in the first full round of Super Smash which begins in Lincoln next week.

And Yorkshire allrounder Alice DavidsonRichards (24) will represent the Sparks in both the oneday competition and twenty20 tournament.

Griffith gave the game away aged 19. In 2010 she moved away from Sydney and found work in the Northern Territory outback on a cattle ranch.

She returned home to Bathurst in 2017 to study and played men’s grade cricket. She was selected to play for New South Wales Country at the Australian State Championships.

She averaged 72 with the bat and was called up for her Women’s Big Bash League debut season for the Sydney Thunder last summer.

DavidsonRichards made her England debut this year. She played one ODI against India then five twenty20 internationals against India and Australia.

A bowling allrounder, DavidsonRichards will fill the void left by Beth Langston, who has opted not to return after two summers with the side.

With Suzie Bates unavailable for much of the season, the inclusion of DavidsonRichards and Griffith will go some way to patching over the gap she will leave, coach Nathan King said.

‘‘Both players will add significant value to the performance of the Sparks, as pace bowling allrounders. It was also important, from my perspective, that we signed players who would offer support and guidance for our younger and less experienced players.

‘‘I’m really excited about the contribution and positive impact that both players will have.’’