SOME of the top women's cricketers in the world kick-off an exciting new venture this week – and two talents from South Cumbria are among them.

Laura Marshall and Georgia Holmes are part of the Lancashire Thunder team which will contest the inaugural Kia Super League.

Thunder are one of six new teams featuring international stars from across the globe in a Twenty20 competition which will be played out over the coming month.

Lindal batter Marshall and Haverigg pace bowler Holmes are part of a Lancashire squad featuring England's Kate Cross and Danielle Wyatt, New Zealand's Amy Satterthwaite and West Indian Deandra Dottin – scorer of the first women's T20 international century.

They start their campaign at Western Storm on Sunday – having played a friendly against Loughborough Lightning today – and play three more times before the end of the groups stages against Yorkshire Diamonds at Old Trafford on August 12.

Both South Cumbrian aces – who ran a Thunder girls cricket camp at Lindal Moor CC on Tuesday along with coach Jen Barden – are looking forward to the challenge ahead.

Nineteen-year-old bowler Holmes, the first girl to represent the Cumbria boys county side as a junior, said: “It has been really exciting being part of the squad.

“It's a lot more professional, we've been able to train at Old Trafford and use all the facilities – it's all been really good.

“We've got the likes of Kate Cross, Dani Wyatt and Amy Satterthwaite, who has come over from New Zealand and we've got two West Indians coming over as well, so it's really exciting working with them and having them to look up to and train with.

“There's a lot to look up to and to learn from them. They're teaching us and it's really good.”

The Kia Super League will be played in a Twenty20 format, with players walking out to music when they bat, much as in the men's game.

Holmes has chosen Survivor's Eye of the Tiger as her entrance music, with Marshall picking Kanye West's Power.

Both will hope to hear that music played on a regular basis as they aim to play as many of the Super League matches as possible, with Holmes hopeful her bowling ability will see her picked for the side.

“It's the biggest competition of its kind by far,” she added. “It's really big for our country, really big for the girls and it's a really big thing to look forward to.

“We've got a really strong side and as long as we stick to our skills and do what we have to do, then I think we've got a good chance.

“Hopefully I will play most of the games. We've got more of a batting side and I'm a bowler, so hopefully I will play.”