A washout at The Mote CC in Maidstone was not enough to dampen high spirits as Kent Women were crowned South East Champions of this year’s Vitality Women’s County T20.
The Horses finished the T20 season unbeaten after winning all six completed matches in the tournament, sealing the title last week with two wins against Sussex at Chelmsford.
The England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has no plans for a national-level knockout stage to this year’s Vitality Women’s County T20, meaning that Kent are officially the South East Champions for 2021.
17-year-old Grace Scrivens finishes as the South East Group’s top run-scorer with 191 runs in six matches, including an imperious 94* on matchday one against Surrey at Chipstead.
Alice Davidson-Richards averaged 59.33 in this year’s T20 competition – an unbeaten 60 at Chelmsford forming a chunk of her 178 runs this year. Scotland international ‘keeper-batter Sarah Bryce also averaged over 40.00 in her six innings.
Off-spinners Kalea Moore and Megan Belt both took eight wickets apiece for The Horses – Moore had an impressive bowling strike-rate of a wicket every 12.75 balls, whilst Belt’s average was just 12.88.
England spinner Kirstie Gordon also took five wickets from 16 overs in total in the tournament, with an impressive economy of 5.50.
Kent Women Head Coach Dave Hathrill said: “I’m proud of the way that this team has all worked together to bring about such positive results.
“Every player has contributed towards this Group win and as a coach, you can’t ask for much more. The brand of cricket this team has played has been really good and I’ve been impressed by everyone.
“We’ve had experienced internationals working wonders alongside homegrown talent during this tournament and that’s something I know our supporters are particularly encouraged by.
“The hard work does not stop here, however. We’re always hungry for silverware and the Women’s London Championship is now our top priority”
The Horses lifted the trophy on the day Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU) extended its proud partnership with Kent’s Women’s team for another season.
For more than 50 years, Canterbury Christ Church University has been a big part of the Kent community, providing education that makes a real and positive difference to people’s lives, and has sponsored Kent Women since the beginning of the 2015 season.
Kent Cricket’s Director of Partnerships, Andy Griffith, said: “I’m really pleased to see such a strong partnership continue into the 2022 season.
“Canterbury Christ Church University has been the title sponsors of Kent Women for six years now, and has become a real part of the Kent cricketing family. We looking forward to working closely with them in the coming year.”
Professor Mike Weed, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research and Enterprise) at CCCU, said: “I am delighted that Canterbury Christ Church University will be continuing its partnership with Kent Cricket as the longest serving sponsor of women’s county cricket.
“We share a commitment to using inspiration to promote aspiration, and to widening participation in cricket, in sport and in education.
“We look forward to continuing to support the success of the women’s team, and to working together to reach out to young people across Kent to inspire them to follow their dreams.”
Picture supplied by Oyster Bay Photography.