Kent close on record seventh County Championship
Kent leapfrogged Warwickshire with a comprehensive win to return to the top of the Women’s County Championship and keep dreams of a cup double alive.
After pipping the Midlands side to the T20 crown, Kent outclassed their opponents to close in on a record seventh title.
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The T20 champions were invited to bat by the hosts and New Zealand skipper Suzie Bates marshalled the innings with a fine 75 after a flying start.
The White Ferns star shared a stand of 51 in 5.4 overs with Tammy Beaumont who blasted 27 off 24 balls.
Lizzie Russell removed Beaumont and Charlotte Edwardsto put the brakes on the scoring.
Bates received support from the middle order with cameos from Lydia Greenway (15), Alice Davidson-Richards (28) and Grace Gibbs (24) to post a competitive total.
The victory target never looked in danger as the Kent attack took control with accurate bowling to restrict scoring before scoreboard pressure took its toll on the Warwickshire line-up.
The home side made a watchful start with Tash Farrant trapping opener Georgia Hennessy LBW.
Wickets in successive overs from Megan Belt and Suzie Bates claimed the scalps of opener Zahoor and overseas star Anna Lanning to leave Warwickshire in strife on 50 for three in the 19th over.
Kent’s top wicket-taker Belt took 3/22 in eight overs and Bates completed a fine all-round display with 4/12 in 7.3 overs.
All the bowlers contributed: Farrant completed a fine afternoon with 1/26 from 10 overs and there was a wicket each for Laura Marsh and Charlotte Pape.