Lanning eager to play in England’s Super League

London (AFP) – Australia women’s captain Meg Lanning said on Thursday she was eager to take part in the new England women’s Super League that will start in July.

The star batsman is one of several top international female cricketers who have signed to join the new six-team competition, including Stafanie Taylor, the skipper of the West Indies side that beat Lanning’s Australia in last month’s World Twenty20 final in India.

Lanning will join the Surrey Stars and Taylor the Western Storm, with New Zealand’s Suzie Bates — chosen as the Wisden Almanack’s leading female cricketer of 2015 — heading to the Southern Vipers.

Australia fast bowler Ellyse Perry and West Indies all-rounder Deandra Dottin will also be involved and Lanning said: “I’m really looking forward to playing in the Kia Super League. It’s another huge step forward for the women’s game following on from the Women’s Big Bash League in Australia, and I can’t wait to get stuck in with the Surrey Stars once the tournament gets underway at the end of July.”

ECB director of England women’s cricket Clare Connor said: “One of the driving principles behind the establishment of the Kia Super League was to create a world-class competition where the world’s best play.

“Revealing who the overseas players will be today undoubtedly hits this mark.

The former England women’s captain added: “The six teams are all brimming with talent, quality and the very best female cricketers from across the world — the Kia Super League is set to be a brilliant showcase for the women’s game … I cannot wait to see these teams in action now.”