Desert Vipers' Sowter excited to reunite with Hasaranga for ILT20 3

Nathan Sowter, known for his lightning-fast fielding and nicknamed the "racing snake" by

Desert Vipers

’ Director of Cricket Tom Moody, is gearing up for the third season of the

International League T20

(

ILT20

). The leg-spinner expressed his excitement about rejoining the Vipers and partnering with Sri Lankan spin maestro Wanindu Hasaranga.
Speaking on the Vipers Voices podcast, Sowter was enthusiastic about the potential for the two spinners to play together.
"That is the most exciting part of this ILT20 for me, that I get to spend another month with Wanindu and hopefully learn more about how he operates, especially with [bowling coach] Carl [Crowe] as well," he said. Sowter highlighted Hasaranga’s all-round abilities, adding, "It helps me a lot with Wanindu being a top-order batter. So with him batting in the top six, it allows the coaches to still find a place for me in the line-up."

Sowter’s confidence comes from previous successes, including his partnership with Callum Parkinson during the English

T20 Blast

. The duo’s performances were pivotal in Durham’s quarterfinal run, and Sowter was voted the team’s Player of the Tournament.
The leg-spinner’s busy 2024 included stints in the

Caribbean Premier League

, The Hundred, where he won the title with the Oval Invincibles, and the inaugural Nepal Premier League. Reflecting on his time in Nepal, Sowter praised the determination of local players despite limited resources. "The facilities made it challenging, but their determination was inspiring. It makes you appreciate what you have elsewhere," he said.

Beyond cricket, Sowter is passionate about the Desert Vipers’ sustainability efforts, including locally produced kits made from recycled materials. "It’s incredible to see the Vipers trying to reduce their carbon footprint, cutting kit usage by almost 40%. Winning on and off the field is the way forward," he said.

The welcoming team culture was another reason Sowter was eager to return. "From the day I turned up, it was about how I could get better as a cricketer," he said, crediting Moody, head coach James Foster, and Hasaranga for fostering his growth.
Sowter is optimistic about the Vipers’ chances in the tournament but emphasized the importance of staying focused. "Our goal is to reach the playoffs. From there, anything is possible. If you shoot for the stars too early, it can shoot you in the foot," he said.
The Desert Vipers begin their campaign on Day 2 of the tournament against the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders at Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi. With Sowter and Hasaranga leading the spin attack, the team looks poised for a strong showing in ILT20 season three.