Davidson-Richards hits 50 as Kent beat Sussex
Alice Davidson-Richards hit a half-century as Kent defeated Sussex in the Royal London Women’s One-Day County Championship at The County Ground, Beckenham.
The Tunbridge Wells right-hander helped Kent to a defendable total before Tash Farrant, Grace Gibbs, Laura Marsh and Megan Belt grabbed two wickets each in a fine win.
Laura Marsh (34) and opener Lottie Bryan (21) added 59 for the third wicket following the early losses of Tammy Beaumont and Grace Gibbs.
Marsh hit three boundaries in a fluent knock before she was caught behind by England ‘keeper Sarah Taylor.
Davidson-Richards, 22, played the anchor role with a patient 91-ball knock as internationals past and present Lauren Griffiths (22) and Tash Farrant (10*) scored at more than a run a ball at the other end to post 166 for seven.
In reply, Farrant and Gibbs gave Kent the ideal start by reducing Sussex to 19-4.
England internationals Georgia Elwiss and Danni Wyatt departed either side of Georgia Adams in the first three overs.
Elwiss was trapped LBW by Farrant for 2 before Adams cut Gibbs to Phoebe Franklin at point without scoring before Gibbs bowled Wyatt for five in her next over.
Farrant struck again in the 5th over as Laura Marsh took a wonderful reflex catch at slip to remove Paige Scholfield.
England wicketkeeper-batsman Sarah Taylor steadied the ship with a fluent 50 which included eight boundaries as she shepherded the tail.
Lynsey Smith and Ariana Dowse were caught behind by Kent ‘keeper Lauren Griffiths as Megan Belt picked 2/11 in five tidy overs as Taylor was forced to score all the runs and farm the strike.
Unfortunately for Taylor, no other batsman reached double figures as Marsh removed Tara Norris before removing the top-scorer for 61 off 112 balls.
Vice-captain Davidson-Richards completed a fine all-round display by taking the tenth wicket as Nancy Harman was caught by skipper Beaumont to wrap up a 66-run win.
Division One results: Middlesex (10pts) bt Berkshire (0pts), Warwickshire (18pt) bt Notts (5pt), Yorkshire (18) bt Lancashire (4).
Division One standings: 1) Warwickshire 17.67 avg pts, 2) Yorkshire 17.33, 3) Kent 13.67, 4) Lancashire 13.33
Next up is a Bank Holiday double-header against Lancashire and Yorkshire at The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence on Sunday 28 and Monday 29 May.