The Hundred 2022: Oval Invincibles star Emily Windsor on the tournament
- Published
Emily Windsor has shone for Southern Vipers
Oval Invincibles want teams to feel pressure during their title defence in The Hundred, says Emily Windsor.
The Invincibles launched the tournament with a nine-wicket victory against Northern Superchargers at The Oval.
Windsor joined in April and expects "topsy-turvy" matches because of the quality of teams eyeing 100-ball glory.
"The overseas standard in the women's game is ridiculously high," said Windsor, who won the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy with the Vipers in 2020.
"We've got Australians, New Zealanders, South Africans - the best of the best.
"Everyone's going to be coming for us, aren't they?
"Everyone has match-winners. We want them to feel pressure, coming to play us."
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Batter Windsor told BBC Radio London that key squad members including South African duo Dane van Niekerk and Marizanne Kapp have made her feel welcome as she soaks up their knowledge and experience.
Van Niekerk captained the Invincibles to the title last year and Kapp was player of the match in the Lord's final.
The team sampled their surroundings while watching the men's team lose their opener to London Spirit at The Oval on 4 August.
"The atmosphere that we were part of was surreal," said Windsor. "It's absolutely amazing.
"I love this ground anyway but when we came to the game it was absolutely electric.
"London's not too far from my home in Portsmouth and because we've got the flexibility on rest days in this competition, I get to see my family and friends, which is really important to be able to get that balance and focus when you're training and on the pitch."
Head coach Jonathan Batty led the Invincibles to victory in the inaugural tournament.
"I've loved working with him so far," added Windsor. "He's really clear with what he wants from us as a team and communicates well, which is really important.
"He wants me to keep playing as I've played in the 50-over competition for the [Southern] Vipers. That's my role in this squad and he doesn't want me to go out and there and change how I play because it's 100 balls.
"That gives you a lot of confidence. He's cool, calm and collected, which is important because the games come thick and fast, there is that massive hype and it is new to us women."
How can I follow The Hundred?
Oval Invincibles were the inaugural winners of the women's Hundred competition in 2021
The Hundred will be covered extensively across the BBC.
As well as live TV and radio coverage there will also be text commentary on the BBC Sport website, plus video highlights, analysis and reaction.
England internationals Heather Knight, Moeen Ali, Chris Jordan, Mark Wood and Issy Wong will all be part of the BBC commentary teams throughout the tournament.
And on BBC Sounds, Alex Hartley and Kate Cross, now rivals rather than team-mates after Hartley's move to Welsh Fire from Cross' Manchester Originals, will provide unique, behind-the-scenes insight on the No Balls Podcast on BBC Sounds.