Kent Women retain the County Championship title

On Sunday 2nd September, Kent and Essex womens' teams set out for Wokingham Cricket Clubin Berkshire on a very overcast morning.

The drizzle abated around 11.15, which meant after a 30 minute delay play got underway at 11.30 with no loss of overs. Essex won the toss and decided to bat first.

Kent bowled well and Essex failed to capitulate on any loose deliveries. Top scorer for Essex was Lauren Onojaife (25) closely followed by Bryony Butcher (24) but the only other batsman to make double figures was the opener Laura Boorman (16)

Linsey Askew was the leading wicket taker with 3-20 but everyone contributed with miserly bowling; Essex were all out for 99 after 43.1 overs which left a relatively easy target of 2 an over from Kent's 50 overs

In reply, Kent made steady progress. Charlotte Edwards and Tamsin Beaumont put on 53 for the first wicket, and only two others followed Charlotte back into the pavilion, Tamsin herself making 21 and then Laura Marsh (12) – the target was finally reached by Susie Rowe (28*) along with Alice Davidson-Richards who supported her for the last few overs (1*).

Kent had reached the total in just 28.1 overs, winning by 7 wickets, and are thrilled to have retained the ECB County Championship title.

* Five of the Kent Women's squad are pictured above in their England kit