Smith impressed with talent

LANCASHIRE Thunder assistant coach Tom Smith has urged his players to go out and show everyone their talent when they take on defending champions Southern Vipers at Liverpool today, starting at 2.30pm.

A 51-run defeat to Loughborough Lightning at Blackpool on Sunday was the Thunder’s third in a row at the start of the competition, leaving them bottom of the table.

In one of his first coaching roles since being forced to retire from county cricket last year, Smith says he has seen a huge amount of talent in a young squad and expressed how much he has enjoyed his new role. Although their chances of qualification for this year’s Finals Day are remote, they could still get through with two bonus point victories and other results going their way.

Realistically, Smith is hoping the side can use the final two games to underline their talent and prepare themselves for next year.

“We still have two chances to win a game of cricket which is obviously what you want to do,” Smith said.

“We want to go out there and express our talent and show how good we can be.

“We will look at the pitch and see if it suits a change.

“I’m enjoying being able to try and win a game – that would be nice! The transition has been great into coaching, I’ve had some great opportunities so far. I’m really enjoying it and learning a lot quickly.

“Next year it’s a ten-game competition and we have got a lot of good young players.

“Hopefully we can put up a better fight then.

All-rounder Natasha Miles is playing in her second season for Lancashire in the KSL and has played in each of their three defeats so far.

She echoed Smith’s calls for the players to express themselves in these final two matches.

“We just need to transfer what we are doing in practice and put it into the game,” she added.