Adams Jnr plotting to cut down Diamonds

Georgia Adams fell in love with cricket playing on the outfield at Hove as a child and watching her father, former England batsman and Sussex captain, Chris play.

This summer she has realised her dream of becoming a professional cricketer. She is leading run scorer in the Rachael Heyhoe-Flint Trophy and has captained Southern Vipers to a place in today’s final with six wins in six games.

“For as long as I can remember all I wanted to do was play cricket. When I received the phone call saying I’d been chosen for a retainer contract as a pro-cricketer, I was literally speechless.

“All the players that I’ve spoken to, it means so much to us because it is like a dream come true. We’ve all worked so hard. And we've all balanced full-time working roles alongside trying to fit in our cricket as much as possible.

“To finally get the opportunity to get a bit of recognition for that hard work and being offered a contract, having opportunities to train as a full-time cricketer in the best facilities with the best coaches, is phenomenal for the women’s game. I feel very lucky and privileged.

Adams has been in prolific form, scoring 420 runs at an average of 84, including an unbeaten 154 against Western Storm, the seventh highest List A score in English domestic cricket.

“I went into the competition just feeling very lucky that we were actually out on the pitch. So, for the first time ever, I just said to myself, I'm going to play cricket with no pressure. I just want to enjoy and embrace having the opportunity to get a cricket season as part of a new team.

“As well, because we’re a new region in a new competition, it was a little bit like we had no real expectations of how we were going to do. I'm very competitive and really want us to do well. I'm so pleased that we have but I felt personally there was a bit of pressure off and [I could] just go out and enjoy playing again.”

She has also relished playing on decent wickets this year, scoring her 154 on the Test Match wicket at the Ageas Bowl.

Being asked to captain Southern Vipers has seen her develop a close working relationship with England legend Charlotte Edwards.

“We’re so lucky to have someone of Charlotte’s calibre as our head coach. The experience and knowledge that she has of the game is above and beyond.

“One big thing that impressed me is she lives and breathes every single ball bowled out on that pitch, the passion that she has for the game and her enthusiasm to want to develop us all as cricketers.

“She's definitely helped me, in terms of leadership. She’s just taken everyone under her wing and given everyone real clarity and let me into a few insights into captaincy. As a captain, I have developed 10 times more than I expected to, in such a short period of time. So, I'm excited to see how the journey goes for the next few years.”

Adams has always been an attacking player and admits she is hungry for boundaries. She has revised her game plan thanks to some advice from Edwards: to bat sensibly for 40 overs without risks and then attack in the last 10.

“That's something that I've had to work quite hard on, concentrating and focusing and really digging in and trying to scrap for as long as possible, so I can then be more expansive at the end. It’s paid off. I’ve tried to be really patient and bat time in the middle.”

Current ECB Director of Women’s Cricket Clare Connor was Sussex captain when she first spotted Adams’ potential and suggested to Chris that he bring her along for trials. There began a long association with the county.

“My love of cricket definitely came from my dad. I was so lucky. My childhood was going down to Hove every week and watching my dad play and messing around on the outfield or in the indoor nets with the likes of Tommy Moores, who's now doing really well for Nottinghamshire under his Dad. For as long as I can remember I just wanted to play cricket.”

Adams made her debut for Sussex Women aged just 15 and quickly gained captaincy experience while Georgia Elwiss was away on England duty. She became full-time skipper in 2017, the same year she played in Southern Vipers’ winning team in the KSL. Last summer she played her 100^th game for Sussex, the third player and the youngest to reach that landmark.

Adams cites momentum, character and nailing the basics as secrets of the Vipers’ success this year. She has been encouraged by the youngsters who have taken the lead at crucial times.

“Every game we've had a lot of roller coaster rides. We've not had one game that's been a breeze and it's been really pleasing to see that someone has stepped up when we needed them to.”

As a former England U19 and Academy player, her form this year has raised questions about a full international call-up.

“Right now, all I've been thinking about is captaining the Vipers. If England doesn't happen, at least we can take a lot of pride in playing at such a brilliant standard and level with this new regional format. I've got everything crossed and would definitely love to still represent England, but very conscious that they’re a really tough side to get into because they’re so dominant.”

Adams is aware of the strength posed by Northern Diamonds in today’s final, particularly their bowling attack and the experience that Jenny Gunn brings.

“So, we just have to back our skills, go to our plan A, keep it as simple as possible and do nothing different than we have done and I'm really confident that we'll get over the line.”