The new domestic competition for elite women cricketers starts at Shenley Cricket Ground, Hertfordshire this Saturday, 18th May.

The tournament will pitch the best 48 female cricketers in England and Wales against each other, in an innovative new tournament which provides, for the first time, competitive top-level cricket before the international series begins.

`Super Fours' ensures that elite England players face each other on a regular basis, and stars of international cricket have been invited to join, including Chandra Kaul (India). The competitive matches will enable the England Coach, John Harmer and England selectors to monitor the development of present and future England stars.

The vision, driven by the ECB's Director of Women's Cricket Gill McConway and shared by England Coach John Harmer, realises the need for top players to face stronger competition in order to improve their mental and physical skills. And the tournament ensures players are challenged for progressive development and aptitude, attitude and athleticism can all be developed for the international arena.

McConway said: "It will be a great opportunity for players to develop into international cricketers with the best coaching and competition available."

Harmer added: "It's crucial that the next wave of England players have a competition they can aspire to be part of, knowing the next step could be England."

Players have been selected from 11 counties, reflecting the growth in the women's game across the country, and the four teams will be captained by England's premier players - Clare Connor (England Captain), Clare Taylor (England opening bowler), Claire Taylor (England's leading run-scorer last year) and Charlotte Edwards, the prolific England opening bat who did not play last year due to injury.

Each team has met with an ECB coach for a weekend training session, during which they 'named' their teams. The competition is on a round-robin basis with teams playing each other twice in a six week period ahead of the inaugural ODI triangular tournament against India and NZ this summer.

The four teams are:

The Braves
Captain: Clare Connor
Chander Kaul
Ella Donnison
Natalie Lane
Beth Morgan
Melissa Reynard
Mandie Godliman
Samantha Keyes
Yvonne Craven
Laura Harper
Isa Guha
Sue Redfern

Super Strikers
Captain: Claire Taylor
Sally-Ann Briggs
Laura Newton
Laura Spragg
Alexia Walker
Hannah Lloyd
Jane Cassar
Dawn Holden
Sarah Clarke
Helen Wardlaw
Nicky Shaw
Becky Moore

`V' Team
Captain: Clare Taylor
Arran Thompson
Dawn Prestidge
Kate Oakenfold
Jackie Hawker
Claire Atkinson
Laura Joyce
Gill Richards
Kathryn Leng
Jo Robinese
Alexis Mannion
Leanne Davies
Kelly Everson

The Knight Riders
Captain: Charlotte Edwards
Lucy Pearson
Caroline Atkins
Jan Godman
Rosalie Birch
Sarah Collyer
Lydia Greenway
Ebony Rainford-Brent
Sue Metcalfe
Radhi Nanalal
Charlotte Burton
Jenny Gunn

FIXTURES

Saturday 18th May at Shenley Cricket Centre and Aldenham School 
Sunday 26th May at Oakham School
Sunday 2nd June at Bradfield College
Mondy 3rd June at Bradfield College
Saturday 8th June at Ratcliffe College
Saturday 15th June at Kings College, Taunton

© ECB