Scotland captain Kathryn Bryce has signed for Loughborough Lightning in the 2019 edition of the Kia Super League, Cricket Scotland can today announce.
Speaking of the signing, Loughborough Lightning commented: “Although one of the youngsters of the Lightning squad Bryce, who is studying Sport and Exercise Science at Loughborough University, will bring a wealth of international experience with her having represented her country since the age of 13.”
During the Women’s Big Bash League in Australia, Bryce was selected to be part of the ICC Associate Rookie Programme for the Melbourne Stars which gave her the opportunity to train alongside some of best Australian internationalists, such as Meg Lanning.
By signing on the line for Lightning, Bryce will have to sacrifice competing for Scotland in a Quadrangular T20I tournament held in Netherlands in August.
However, she will be released back to Scotland for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier held in Dundee and Angus from 31 August to 7 September.
Cricket Scotland High Performance Manager, Simon Smith commented: “Missing an international tournament was a difficult decision for Kathryn to make, and we fully support her in that decision.
“Playing in a high-quality domestic competition with and against some of the best players in world cricket is sure to be good for Kathryn’s development, and the Wildcats are bound to benefit from her having had this opportunity.
“As well as providing quality international match preparation for the Global Qualifier, the Quadrangular in the Netherlands will be important in its own right – with all six games carrying full T20I status, there are team and individual world ranking points on offer, and the opportunity to get a good look at opponents we may well face at the Qualifier shortly afterwards.
“Kathryn’s absence will present others with the chance to step into her batting, bowling and leadership roles, thus gaining valuable experience and further strengthening the depth of Steven Knox’s squad.
“We’ve collaborated with former Scotland men’s player Rob Taylor, now Head Coach of Lightning, throughout the process. We’re grateful to Rob for providing Kathryn with the KSL opportunity, and for releasing her to join up with the Wildcats for the Global Qualifier, as it will mean missing Lightning’s last pool match, and Finals Day should they get there.
“We wish Kathryn, Rob and their Lightning colleagues every success in their 2019 KSL campaign.”
Speaking about the new signing, Loughborough Lightning Head Coach, Rob Taylor, said: “I am extremely grateful to Cricket Scotland for agreeing to release Kathryn for the KSL this summer and be absent from the Quadrangular T20I tournament in the Netherlands.
“She is a three-dimensional cricketer and will be a valuable asset to our Lightning squad, with lots of experience of leading Scotland in high pressure tournaments.
We hope that her time with us this summer not only helps us win the KSL, but will prepare her for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier at the end of the summer.”
