Chloe Tryon has already proved a big hit off the field with her Northern Diamonds team-mates, who are expecting her to produce a few on the field as well when their Charlotte Edwards Cup T20 campaign kicks off tonight.
Tryon, the powerful South African all-rounder, has settled into Diamonds life like a dream, says Dutch international batter Sterre Kalis.
February’s T20 World Cup finalist hit a brilliant 63 off 36 balls on debut against the Western Storm in 50-over cricket, and she has also been offering development advice to those around her off the field. Kalis is one of them.
“We’ve got a good relationship, and we talk through a lot of stuff,” she said. “Chloe’s someone who is really good to ask questions of, how she deals with stuff.
Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com. Sterre Kalis
“When I didn’t have the form I wanted to in the first couple of Rachael Heyhoe games, I talked to her a lot about getting through that and how best to deal with situations like that.
“She brings huge experience into the team, and she’s been excellent for us on and off the field.
“She’s going to be a huge addition to our team in T20.”
Tryon batted at six when the Diamonds hammered the Storm in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy opener at Headingley last month.
When the two sides meet again under the Headingley floodlights in the CE Cup opener tonight (6.30pm), it is safe to assume she will bat at bit higher up the order and given license to try and clear the ropes.
Along with the likes of Kalis, the owner of a T20 international century for the Netherlands, Hollie Armitage, Bess Heath and Lauren Winfield-Hill to name just four, Tryon is set to form a formidable looking top order for the Diamonds.
“We’ve been in the final once out of two years, but we don’t just want to reach the final we want to win it,” said Kalis.
“We take our last 50-over win against the Stars as a huge confidence booster going into the T20, and we can’t wait to get going.”
As recently as last month, Kalis played in the Fairbreak Global T20 competition alongside Lauren Winfield-Hill and featured for the Netherlands over the winter.
She has had more success in 50-over cricket for the Diamonds, highlighted by an excellent 66 not out against the Stars at Scarborough last week. But improving her short-form batting has been a huge focus the Hague-born star.
“I’ve been really focusing on lifting my T20 game,” she confirmed. “In the winter and in different competitions, I’ve been trying to take my game to the next level.
“I’ve tried to play more 360 degrees and play some of the funky shots as well. You just need to play a lot of cricket, and that’s something I’ve tried to do over the last couple of months.”
