NEW Zealand star Rachel Priest is looking forward to making her debut for Berkshire Women on Sunday, writes Dave Wright.

She will play in two T20 games being played at Wokingham CC’s Sadlers End ground – against Kent at 10.30am and Lancashire at 1.30pm.

“I am happy to be over here,” said Priest, who will also be playing for Western Storm in the new Kia Super League which starts in late July.

Both Storm and Berkshire are being captained by Heather Knight, who is also the new skipper of England.

“I am looking forward to playing with Heather, as she is a top quality player,” Priest added.

“It was Heather who contacted me about playing for Berkshire. She knew I was coming over to play for Storm and wanted a batter.”

Priest (pictured right), who celebrated her 31st birthday last week, is New Zealand’s leading wicket-keeper in T20 cricket with more than 50 dismissals, but will not be donning the gloves for Berkshire.

“They already have a good young wicket-keeper and that is fine by me. It will be good to just focus on my batting,” she said.

“I can’t wait to get going with the two T20s this weekend. It will be good to have some game time and get the chance to play in English conditions before going into the Super League.”

Berkshire team manager John Dickinson said: “With Rachel keen to do well and with other international players involved, it should be a very exciting day’s cricket.”

Berkshire’s one-day cup fixture with Middlesex at North Maidenhead last Sunday was rained off without a ball being bowled.

l KNIGHT made a memorable first appearance as skipper on Tuesday when she took 5-26 before making an unbeaten half-century as she led England to a seven-wicket win over Pakistan at Leicester.

England commitments rule her out of the games at Wokingham and Lissy Macleod takes over the captaincy.

Kent's squad for Sunday is expected to include former England stars Charlotte Edwards and Lydia Greenway, current player Tash Farrant and New Zealander Susie Bates.