On 30th and 31st July Kent took on Middlesex, Surrey and Sussex in the Div 1  South group for a place in this years T20 finals.

On the Monday morning Kent took on Middlesex in their opening game. Kent lost the toss  and were put into bat. They got off to the worst possible start with captain Charlotte  Edwards being dismissed first ball, with the ball spinning back off the pitch onto her  stumps.

Kent continued to lose wickets at regular intervals and were 34/5 at the half way stage. However, a partnership of 60 from Tammy Beaumont (48*) and Alice DavidsonRichards (26*) got Kent to a target of 94 which put them in the game. Kent got off to a  good start with the ball taking a wicket in the first over. Middlesex then began to find  boundaries and seemed to be in control before Rhiannon Dick dismissed Beth Morgan to leave the chasing side 51/3.

This gave the side real buoyancy and Middlesex found it hard to score. They eventually finished 12 runs short with Tash Farrant (2/15) and Joey Watts (2/13) the pick of the bowlers.

Next up was Surrey who had brought along a very young side to this year’s Competition. Surrey won the toss and decided to bat. They found it difficult to score throughout the entire innings with some very tight bowling (Joey Watts 2/9 and Deanna Cooper 3/17) and eventually only managed to post a score of 62 off their 20 overs. Kent came out blazing as they knew NRR could play a part later in the competition. Kent chased the total in under 7 overs for only 1 wicket. Charlotte Edwards 31 and Rhiannon Dick 19* both batting well.

On the second day, Kent were due to face Sussex twice, once in their group game and then again in the final, but due to overnight rain the first game could not be played, which meant they could only play their group game in the afternoon. Kent won the toss and Sussex were put into bat.

They lost the wicket of Georgia Adams early, but Georgia Elwiss and Sarah Taylor built a strong partnership and ran well together getting a number of quick 2s and 3s. Taylor soon reached her 50 off 10 overs, with Elwiss soon following with her first County T20 50 in 18 overs. Sussex made an impressive total after 20 overs, finishing on 142 for 4.

Kent’s Rhiannon Dick started well before being dismissed for 29 after 7 overs. Charlotte Edwards also batter well (31) Kent, but Sussex kept their bowling tight and were attacking in the field which built pressure, eventually winning by 16 runs winning the Group.

Kent however will progress as best 2nd place with the highest NRR which was credit to how well they had played earlier in the group.
Special mentions to Grace Gibbs and Tash Farrant who bowled impressively on their T20 debuts.

The women are now through to the T20 final which will be held on Bank Holiday Monday at Wokingham CC, where we hope Kent can retain their title!