T20 defence starts with double defeat

A youthful Kent side lost both legs of the opening double-header in the NatWest Women’s T20 at North Maidenhead.

In the opening match against hosts Berkshire, skipper Alice Davidson-Richards won the toss and elected to bat with only the captain and Tash Farrant reaching double figures as the visitors were dismissed for 84.

Emma Walker and Alice MacLeod claimed three wickets each as Kent were all out in 19.4 overs.

In reply, Kent’s bowlers started strongly as Farrant took a wicket-maiden in the first over on the way to 1/5 in four excellent overs.

The ground fielding was sharp with three run-outs: two from Phoebe Franklin and one from Annabelle Richards, 17, although an extra life for Berkshire skipper Carla Rudd proved decisive.

Dropped at slip early in her innings, Rudd hit 33 not out in a key stand of 64 in almost 14 overs to guide Berkshire to the modest target with only two balls to spare.

The tricky triangular format of the day meant Kent had to bounce back immediately against Lancashire.

Kent lost the toss this time and were invited to field first – meaning 40 overs on the bounce in the hottest part of a scorching day.

The young attack struggled against an experienced Red Rose top-order which shared a stand of 81 before Megan Belt broke the deadlock by removing Evelyn Jones in the 13th over.

Tash Farrant struck again with the wicket of opener Emma Lamb in the 17th over before 15-year-old Chelsey Rowson struck in successive balls in the final over as Lancashire posted 143 for four.

Rowson returned new career-best figures of 2/21 in three overs in her third senior appearance after taking a wicket on her full debut against Warwickshire in April.

In reply, Kent were dismissed for 71 with five boundaries in the innings showing more attacking intent than in the Berkshire match which contained just two fours.

Next up is another T20 double-header against Sussex and Surrey at Billingshurst on Sunday 2 July.