Tammy Beaumont wins PCA award

Kent opener Tammy Beaumont was voted Waitrose Women’s Player of the Summer by her fellow England players after a breakthrough season.

The 25-year-old Kent Cricket Academy graduate followed up a maiden One Day International half century in the Royal London series against Pakistan with successive centuries against the same opponents.

Her aggregate of 342 runs was a record for a three-match series and Beaumont followed up with 142 runs in the NatWest T20 Series.

She also helped Kent complete a Royal London County Championship and NatWest T20 double and will fly to the West Indies with England on Friday to prepare for the forthcoming One Day International series.

“It’s been a bit of a breakthrough summer for me. I hadn’t really cemented my place before so to have a season like that was unbelievable,” Beaumont said.

“The fact that the squad votes for this award makes it even more special. You want to contribute to a successful international summer and for the girls to recognise is the best part about winning.

“It’s the first time I have got a good run at the top of the order. I have had a lot of backing from Mark Robinson, our new coach, and, having worked hard for the last few years, it’s been good to put it into practice in an England game.

“Getting that 70 in the first game was my first half century and took some of the pressure off. Then to go and get a hundred the next day, everything escalated from there.

“I can’t wait to get out to the West Indies which is an important tour for us to get some points for the ICC Women’s Championship and qualify for our home World Cup next year.”