Kent Women skittle Notts with career-best bowling from Marsh and Belt
Monday 25th May 2015
Laura Marsh took five wickets and top-scored to help Kent to a fine 125-run win and leapfrog opponents Nottinghamshire into top spot of the Royal London Women’s County Championship.
The 28-year-old England all-rounder and teen spinner Megan Belt posted career-best bowling figures to rip through the Notts line-up and maintain the side’s unbeaten start to the season.
Earlier, Marsh's 122-run third-wicket stand with England team-mate Lydia Greenway guided Kent to a imposing 214 total that was never in danger at The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence.
The 28-year-old hit six boundaries in a 96-ball 58 and Greenway struck five fours in 57 runs from 89 balls after Kent won the toss.
Notts started strongly in reply as skipper Sonia Odedra dismissed Tammy Beaumont with the new ball before Amy Gauvrit removed Kent and England captain Charlotte Edwards to leave the hosts on 40 for two after 14.2 overs.
Marsh and Greenway’s counter-attack steadied the ship and allowed the middle order to play more aggressively and pass 200 runs inside 50 overs.
In reply, Kent picked up regular wickets led by a speedy five-over spell by Tash Farrant picking up opener Georgia Boyce.
Odedra and number three Zoe Richards provided the only resistance with a 53-run partnership for the second wicket before off-spinner Belt struck to remove both players.
The 17-year-old Margate-born bowler returned career-best figures of 4-33 with Marsh, from Pembury, claiming 5-15 to add to a fine half-century.