SOUTHERN Vipers captain Georgia Adams admits she’s “gutted” to not win the Charlotte Edwards Cup but insists the namesake head coach will “be thinking about the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy already.”

Named after England’s most capped player and current Vipers coach Edwards, Northern Diamonds 135/6 beat Vipers’ 117 at the Ageas Bowl to reach the final of the 20-over competition.

Vipers were without key batters Danni Wyatt, Maia Bouchier and Charlie Dean due to international call-ups, and fell 18 runs short on the day.

England international Lauren Winfield-Hill’s 65 laid the foundation for 135 before Jenny Gunn’s four for 26 capped an all-around top bowling display.

Adams said: “We are extremely disappointed and gutted to not be able to get over the line and into the final in front of our home crowd. But we were beaten by a better side on the day.

“We want to produce England players and win trophies here at the Vipers. We’ve done that. We’ve lost Maia Bouchier and Charlie Dean to the England squad and that is great for us.

“Now it is about the senior players who are here to step up and get us over the line and encourage those younger players to come in and show our depth.

“Charlotte Edwards, our head coach, is probably seeing it as a real win to get those girls in the England set-up.

“Lottie will be absolutely gutted. She is so passionate but she’ll be thinking about the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy already. It won’t change the fact it is named after her!"