Heath can’t wait to kick off the Hundred with fellow sparkling Diamonds
BESS Heath is relishing the prospect of playing her part in a star-studded Northern Superchargers batting line-up during the Hundred, starting next week.
The Northern Diamonds wicketkeeper batter will be placed alongside overseas trio Alyssa Healy, Jemimah Rodrigues and Laura Wolvaardt plus England all-rounder Alice Davidson-Richards and new captain Hollie Armitage.
Heath will be looking to continue the form which has earned her England A recognition this summer.
And if she can, the Superchargers will have a great chance of improving on last year’s near miss with knockout qualification.
In all cricket for the Diamonds, Yorkshire and England’s second string side in 2022, the soon-to-be 21-year-old has scored 505 runs at an average of 45.09 with a best of 84 not out. She has added five catches and five stumpings, though has not been keeping in the most recent Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy.
“We definitely have a very strong team with the ability to put some big scores on the board,” she said of the Superchargers. “It’s going to be exciting, and we’re all very confident.
“The atmosphere around the Hundred last year was amazing. I was injured beforehand, and my first game back was one of the Hundred games. The crowds were so good, and it lifts your energy. Hopefully it will be bigger and better this year. I can’t wait.”
Heath is one of seven Diamonds in the Headingley based Superchargers squad - Armitage, Jenny Gunn, Beth Langston, Katie Levick, Rachel Slater and Linsey Smith are the others.
The Diamonds have won their opening four games in the 50-over RHF Trophy, putting them on course for a third straight final in that competition.
“With the T20, we didn’t quite get off to the start we wanted,” continued Heath, referring to the early season Charlotte Edwards Trophy, which ended in a group stage exit.
“But we have come into our own with the 50-over stuff. We bat all the way down, and we have confidence in each other to always put on a good score.
“We’re hopefully on the right track to get a trophy at the end of it.
“We got some learnings from the
T20s. It’s not nice to lose, but we have bounced back well.
“The last two games showed how much confidence we have in every single member of our team. Lev getting us over the line with her shot through the covers against Lightning at Durham, for example. “This is the dream scenario for us. To go into the Hundred knowing that we’ve done all we can, win four games, and put ourselves in a great position.
“It’s relieved a little bit of pressure at the back side of the competition. But we won’t be taking our foot off the pedal. We definitely want to get straight into the final.”
When talking to Heath, born in Chesterfield, it is clear she is well grounded. Her first comment when asked to reflect on her own development as a player indicates she is the ideal team player.
“I don’t really know what to say about myself if I’m being honest,” she admitted with a chuckle. “But I’ve managed to put a couple of scores on the board, which is great...I’ve loved my chance with England, but any game you play – whatever level that is – is a chance to learn. The Diamonds games have been just as important. I have goals to aspire to, but to achieve them I know I have to keep a level head.”