Nat Sciver on the secret behind Surrey Stars Super League title success
Surrey Stars captain Nat Sciver says the secret to winning the Kia Super League title was peaking at the right time.
Sciver led from the front as Surrey Stars overcame defending champions Western Storm by nine runs in the second-third place play-off at Hove on Monday before handing the baton to Lizelle Lee, who blasted 104 off only 58 balls to set up a 66-run victory over Loughborough Lightning in the final.
“I’ve had a pretty busy international summer,” said Sciver. “But, for me, I always had one eye on the Kia Super League. We came good at the right time – I always felt we had that sort of performance in us because we’ve got a really strong batting line-up.
“I’m so pleased for all of the girls and all of the backroom staff. It was just a team effort.”
Sciver made an unbeaten 72 then took 2-21 in the play-off against Western Storm as Surrey recovered from 72-5 to post 162-5 after being put in. She also marshalled her bowling resources effectively when it looked as if Fran Wilson, who made an unbeaten 58, and Heather Knight were taking Storm to their third successive final.
But the day will be remembered for South African Lee smashing the fastest hundred in the history of the Kia Super League to help power Surrey Stars to their first title in a one-sided final against Loughborough Lightning.
Surrey’s total was the second highest in this season’s competition. Loughborough never recovered from losing three wickets in the powerplay. Surrey’s spinners took eight of the wickets to fall.
“Lizelle played a fantastic innings,” said Sciver. “She doesn’t even give it a full swing [of the bat] most of the time, which is worrying, but I know what she is capable of.
“We’ve seen it in the other games and it’s been quite scary watching her in the nets leading up to the final because of how hard she has been hitting the ball.
“We had the experience of already playing on that wicket and it definitely helped. I knew we could defend that total, unless they were none down after the powerplay. But we managed to get early wickets and controlled it from then on.
“I’m really pleased for the whole squad. There have been some disappointing days this season but we’ve produced a really good game when it mattered.”
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