Beaumont hundred as Kent Women stars receive caps

An eighth ODI century from Tammy Beaumont led England Women to a big win in their final Royal London International against New Zealand at Canterbury – on the day Kent Women stars past and present received their county caps.

Beaumont scored a second ton on her home ground as the hosts romped to 347/5 – their sixth-highest ODI total – with fast-scoring cameos from Amy Jones (60), Sophia Dunkley (33*) and Danni Wyatt (43*) adding 96 in the final 10 overs.

There was still time for Kate Cross to take her 50th ODI wicket (3-44) and Heather Knight, who won the PCA MVP award, to take 3-24.

With the quality of the women’s game being showcased on the field, over 30 Kent Women players past and present, and family representatives of more, were formally presented with their Kent Caps.

Before play, Kent Women Cap 15, Kate Brown, was invited to ring the bell in the pavilion at The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence.

Kent heroes involved in England’s clash with New Zealand were also presented with their caps – England’s Tammy Beaumont and Tash Farrant, New Zealand’s Suzie Bates, and Lydia Greenway, who was providing commentary for Sky Sports.

Brown was then joined by her former teammates, and Kent Women stars from other eras, inside the FGS Plant Harris Suite, to celebrate the rich history of Kent’s Women’s side.

Amongst those in attendance were Chris Watmough, Marie Moralee, Mary Pilling and many other names from Kent Women sides of years gone by, alongside the current crop of Kent stars in the likes of Grace Gibbs and Hannah Jelfs.

The event coincided with a Women in Business talk, with keynote speakers: ECB non-executive director, Brenda Trenowden, Double Olympian, Mel Clewlow, Co-Founder & Business Director at Red Key Concepts, Charley Gremo-Gilham, and CEO of Canterbury’s Business Improvement District, Lisa Carlson.

Kent Cricket is dedicated to harnessing the power of cricket to make a positive difference in our communities. Inspired by Sport England’s award-winning ‘This Girl Can’ campaign.

The visit to Canterbury by the England and New Zealand Women’s sides – athletes at the top of their game – was a fantastic vehicle to inspire the next generation that ‘This Girl Can’.