Rich Pyrah says Lauren Winfield-Hill was the obvious choice to take on the role of the new Yorkshire women’s captain, and he is also excited by the chance to give leadership opportunities to both Rachel Slater and Maddie Ward this summer.
Winfield-Hill was appointed as the new skipper last week, while Slater and Ward have been handed vice captaincy roles.
Both up and comers are set for opportunities to captain the side this summer.
Legendary wicketkeeper-batter Winfield-Hill will lead the side in Saturday’s season opener, the 50-over Metro Bank One-Day Cup 2 clash with Worcestershire at Headingley.
Head coach Pyrah said: “It was an easy decision with the way Lauren is around the group, the way she speaks about the game and her experience.
“But the thing that impressed me most was us going on pre-season tour and how she took in the six Academy girls and took her them under her wing.
Picture by Simon Wilkinson/SWpix.com. Rich Pyrah has appointed a leadership group with varying levels of experience.
“Someone like a Holly Garton, she was just following Lauren around for the first two days. Then, at the end of the trip, to see these girls coming out of their shell and having a bit of a laugh and a joke was brilliant.
“A lot of that was down to the way that Lauren got them involved and made them feel comfortable. That’s a sign of good leadership – she’ll be great for us.
“It’s a nice balance this year because we’ve got a group of young players and a group of experienced players. With Lauren missing a period of the season, it allows others to step up, and that’s how we’re going to create leadership within the group.”
Winfield-Hill’s experience in the game is vast. The 34-year-old has played 104 times for England, has scored 9,521 senior runs added to 264 catches and stumpings. She has also won multiple domestic titles around the world.
Scotland seam bowler Slater, 23, has plenty of developing to do but has played nearly 100 senior games for club and country, including representing her country at last year’s T20 World Cup. She is currently in Pakistan trying to help them qualify for the 50-over World Cup later this year.
“I’ve been so impressed with her,” continued Pyrah.
Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com. Rachel Slater, currently away with Scotland in Pakistan, has been appointed as one of two Yorkshire vice captains.
“Her professional behaviours are brilliant.
“It’s like speaking to a 35-year-old about her game. She speaks so well about the game and is very diligent with everything that she does.”
Slater won’t be available to face the Pears on Saturday because of international duty but should be available for the trip to face Sussex at Hove a week later.
“She’s a big player for us, you know, left-arm as well – gold dust,” said Pyrah. “But, like I said at the beginning of the winter, let’s not pigeon-hole players.
“Slats’ batting has kicked on this winter, and I’ve no doubt it will keep improving.
“I think she was batting 10 or 11 last year for the Northern Diamonds. She’s a much better batter than that, and hopefully we see her pushing for middle order spots at some point soon.”
Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com. Maddie Ward will be the other White Rose vice captain.
Twenty-year-old Ward is the least experienced of the leadership trio having only played one senior career match – for the Northern Diamonds late last summer.
She is a highly-rated wicketkeeper-batter but also showed on the Abu Dhabi pre-season tour that she could be a valuable contributor with her bowling – leg-spin and off-spin.
“Maddie’s been brilliant,” added Pyrah. “I think she was our leading wicket-taker in the T20s in Abu Dhabi.
“I’ve said to her, ‘Let’s be flexible with how she’s going to play’. She’s going to get opportunities with the gloves, but let’s see where her game goes.
“Her performances (on tour) were a product of increased confidence, which comes from the leadership.
“We’ve been trying to build that over the winter, giving players opportunities to lead certain sessions, and Maddie’s really stood out.”
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