PAUL Grayson is targeting consistency from the Yorkshire Diamonds as they bid for Kia Super League glory this summer.

The Diamonds coach feels a title shot is realistic having missed out on Finals Day in each of the competition’s first two seasons.

But he has urged his players, and coaches, not to get too caught up in the emotions of wins or losses, something he believes they were guilty of last season.

The Diamonds have announced their squad, with overseas Australian duo Beth Mooney and Delissa Kimmince joining Sri Lanka’s Chamari Atapattu ahead of their opening game against champions Western Storm at Taunton on July 22.

All-rounder Atapattu was a Diamond last year, while wicketkeeper batsman Mooney was in 2016 and would also have played last summer but for injury. Seamer Kimmince gets her first taste of the KSL.

“What we’re looking for in a 10-game format is a bit of consistency from the players and the coaching staff as well,” said Grayson, the former Yorkshire all-rounder.

“There are going to be some highs and lows. We’re going to win some games and lose some. That’s the nature of T20.

“My only slight concern last year was after we played Lancashire in the first game and put in a really good performance, I think everybody thought ‘Oh wow, this is us’.

“But we probably played our best game first.

“This year, we have to make sure we don’t get too carried away because this game has a habit of biting you in the backside.”

But, make no mistake, Grayson is confident.

He continued: “Last year was slightly disappointing because we felt we underachieved. We’re looking to improve, and we’re looking to go to Finals Day.

“We feel like we can do something. But all the franchises will think exactly the same way.

“I think that has to be our mindset from that first game when we play Western Storm.

“They won the trophy, Taunton’s a good ground to play T20 cricket - it’s well supported down there. No doubt, we’ll have to bring our A game.”

In terms of squad selection, Grayson admits he has made some “tough calls” with regards to changes to domestic players involved.

He and assistant coach Gareth Breese, who now holds a full-time role in the England women’s set-up, have cast their net wider, with players joining from various parts of the country.

Joining England players Lauren Winfield, who is captain again, Katherine Brunt, Beth Langston and Alice Davidson-Richards are the trio of overseas.

“I think what we need this year is big performances from our overseas players, and we also need our England players to step up along with our senior national Academy girls,” added Grayson.

“Then the county girls can gain confidence from the internationals.

“I’m not saying the county girls can’t turn in match-winning performances, but you are looking more at your overseas for that. That’s why we’ve brought them in.

“You bring your overseas players in for certain reasons - to nurture the players you've already got, but also to put in big performances so others can learn by watching and playing alongside them.”

The Diamonds will get together on Monday at their base at St Peter’s School in York, where they will train and stay for the duration of the tournament (July 22-August 27).

Diamonds squad: Lauren Winfield c, Katherine Brunt, Beth Langston, Alice Davidson-Richards, Beth Mooney, Chamari Atapattu, Delissa Kimmince, Helen Fenby, Katie Levick, Sophie Munro, Bess Heath, Thea Brookes, Alice Monaghan, Gwen Davies.