County Champs Round-Up

Teams played their third game in the Women's County Championship on Sunday and here are the results from Divisions One and Two.

Division One

Kent 166/8 beat Sussex 100 all out by 66 runs
Kent's apparently under-par total of 166 was built around a solid innings of 50 from Alice Davidson-Richards and a stylish 34 from Laura Marsh. Lauren Griffiths added a useful, swashbuckling, 22, late in the innings, as Kent looked to be struggling to 150 against some tight Sussex bowling. Linsey Smith (2/15), Tara Norris (2/24) and Dani Wyatt (2/31), were the main wicket-takers.
As it turned out 166 was more than enough for a Sussex team where only Sarah Taylor showed up to bat. On her return to cricket, after overcoming mental health issues, she hit an assured 61 with her trademark cover drive back on show. But at the other end Sussex batsmen contrived to find ways to get out without making double figures. It meant that Sussex were bowled out for just 100 for their third defeat in three games and a spot at the foot of the table.

Middlesex 152/9 beat Berkshire 151 all out by 1 run
Middlesex were again indebted to 35 year old Beth Morgan, whose 60 ball 37, held their batting together to allow them to post 152. Young Berkshire off-spinner Emma Walker picked up 5/28 in just her third game at senior level. In reply Berkshire got off to a rollicking start courtesy of the bat of Rachel Priest, who hit 47 off 37 balls, but after she departed with the score on 58 there were a steady stream of departing Berkshire batsmen. Only Lauren Bell (26) and then Ashleigh Muttitt (11) held their nerve as Berkshire inched towards an unlikely victory. With one wicket left and just two runs required to win, Naomi Dattani bowled a full-toss at Muttit, who skied it and was caught. Had the umpire signalled a no-ball the game would have been tied with a free hit to come. As it was his arm remained at his side and Middlesex had their first win of 2017.
(for a fuller match report click here)

Warwickshire 253/7 beat Notts 104 all out by 149 runs
Warwickshire made it three out of three with a comprehensive win over Notts. The Warwickshire top four effectively took the game away from Notts with scores of 61, 51, 43 and 20 (Jones, Bryce, Hennessy, Kelly respectively), taking the team to 188/2 at one stage. By contrast Notts were only on 53 when their third wicket went down and they had already taken nearly 30 overs to get there. Leg-spinner Anisha Patel with 6/17 put Notts out of their misery in the 45th over as they were bowled out for 104.

Yorkshire 250/6 beat Lancashire 128 all out
A decisive victory for Yorkshire over their local rivals keeps them right up at the top of Div 1 matching Warwickshire's three wins on the bounce. This one was based around Katherine Brunt's highest ever score for her beloved Yorkshire, 93, with assistance from Dani Hazell 50*, and Anna Nicholls 50. This took Yorkshire to 250/6 despite being bowled at by four international players (Cross, Hartley, Ecclestone and Satterthwaite). In reply Lancs tried to recover from being 32/3, but when Ellie Threlkeld 39 and Amy Satterthwaite 55, departed, it was curtains for Lancs, with leggie Katie Levick helping herself to 6/28.

Division Two

Somerset 211/7 beat Devon 45 all out by 166 runs
84 for Anya Shrubsole with the bat as Somerset cruised to their third win of the season. Only 40 for Sophie Luff to take her current average down to 258. Somerset the only team with three wins from three and looking good to return to Div 1 at the first time of asking.

Staffs 89 all out lost to Derbyshire 90/2 by 8 wickets
Staffs were blown away by Derbyshire as they limped to 89 all out in 45 overs and Derbyshire took less than 22 overs to get over the line. It was a welcome first win for Derbyshire and there are ominous signs for Staffs.

Surrey 329/5 beat Hampshire 162 all out by 167 runs
Nat Sciver pounded the Hants attack (including Suzie Bates) to hit an unbeaten 135 off just 98 balls. Sophie Pout 67 and Aylish Cranstone 47*, also enjoyed themselves. In response Bates could only score 26 before she was cleaned up by her fellow countrywoman, Lea Tahuhu, playing her first game in Surrey colours. Hants battled on but were well beaten.

Wales 138/9 beat Worcestershire 61 all out
Wales struggled to 138/9 as Beth Ellis claimed 4/20 for Worcs, but when it came to their turn to bat they struggled even more than Wales. Nicole Reid took 4/11 and Ffion Cartwright 3/15 as Worcs subsided to 61 all out.

MD
15/V/17