Kent galloped to county championship

Kent did what they have done for much of the history of the Women’s County Championship by winning their eighth title. It is the end of an era though as the brave new world of professional domestic cricket will take a drastically new approach from next season.

That argument is for another day and it is time to celebrate the successes of today. Kent has been the dominant side winning the title with a game to spare.

V Nottinghamshire

Kent won their opening game at Home to Nottinghamshire by 49 runs. Laura Marsh stared with the bat with an innings of 55 not out. Maxine Blythin also scored 43 as Kent finished their 50 overs on 192 for 9.

Megan Belt with 3 for 20 ensured that Nottinghamshire would get nowhere near chasing down the runs needed despite 49 not out from Polly Inglis. Tash Farrant with 2 for 37 showed just what England are missing after her England central contract was not renewed.

V Warwickshire

The following day Kent had another home game this time at Beckenham. Kent’s bowlers were made to work hard as Warwickshire were bowled out for 232.

Laura Marsh who had scored a fifty the day before continued a great weekend with figures of 5 for 36. Half-centuries from Amy Jones and Beth Ellis meant that Kent would have a tricky chase on their hands.

Tammy Beaumont with 87 and Fran Wilson in her second game for her new county with 83 ensured Kent won by 7 wickets with the best part of 10 overs to spare.

V Surrey

It was more runs for captain Tammy Beaumont with an unbeaten 79 that made sure of another 7-wicket win. Tash Farrant with 4 for 26 helped Kent bowl out Surrey for just 148. Bryony Smith did her best to thwart the best efforts of the Kent attack with 55.

An unbeaten 79 from Beaumont secured victory with 20 overs to spare.

V Hampshire

Another week and another win for the South Coast side. This time against fellow South Coasters Hampshire. In terms of the margin if victory this was their closest.

Innings of 64 from Maia Bouchier and 63 from Suzie Bates helped Hampshire to 233 for 6. Fran Wilson who has always been a calm influence stared in a 122-run partnership for the second wicket with Tammy Beaumont put Kent into the driving seat. Maxine Blythin also scored 51 not out.

V Yorkshire

Kent knew that two wins over the bank holiday weekend would likely secure the title. They needed to beat Yorkshire first and they did so by just five runs.

Rain meant the game was delayed and the game reduced to 36 overs a side. It didn’t start well for Kent who lost the toss and were asked to bat.

Kent were then bowled out for 121 with Fran Wilson and Maxine Blythin joint top scorers with 32. It was going to be a difficult job to restrain Yorkshire form reaching their target. 3 for 20 from Megan Belt and economical bowling from Hannah Jelfs whose five overs went for only 9 runs helped Kent to the win.

V Lancashire

With Nottinghamshire losing to Hampshire a win at Lancashire would be enough to seal the Royal London One-Day Championship with one game to go.

4 for 24 from Chelsey Rowson limited Lancashire to 161 all out. Fran Wilson with 54 not out.