Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Davidson-richards in the runs as women secure win over Sussex
‘I haven’t really had time to sit on the sofa and take it all in’
Alice Davidson-richards hit a half-century as Kent beat Sussex in the Royal London Women’s One-day County Championship at The County Ground, Beckenham. The Tunbridge Wells righthander helped Kent to a defendable total before Tash Farrant, Grace Gibbs, Laura Marsh and Megan Belt grabbed two wickets each. Marsh (34) and opener Lottie Bryan (21) added 59 for the third wicket following the early losses of Tammy Beaumont and Gibbs. Marsh hit three boundaries in a fluent knock before she was caught behind. Davidson-richards, 22, played the anchor role with a patient 91-ball knock as internationals past and present Lauren Griffiths (22) and Farrant (10 not out) scored at more than a run a ball at the other end to post 166-7. In reply, Farrant and Gibbs gave Kent the ideal start by reducing Sussex to 19- 4. England international Georgia Elwiss was trapped leg before by Farrant for two before Georgia Adams cut Gibbs to Phoebe Franklin at point without scoring. Gibbs then bowled England player Danni Wyatt for five and Farrant struck again as Marsh took a reflex catch at slip to remove Paige Scholfield. England wicketkeeperbatsman Sarah Taylor steadied the innings with a fluent 50 which included eight boundaries as she shepherded the tail. Lynsey Smith and Ariana Dowse were caught
“It’s a lot of cricket, the schedule is pretty brutal. It tests you mentally but it tests you more as a cricketer in terms of your capability and what you can do.
“If you can play in all those conditions and be successful, it means you offer a lot to every side around the world.
“That’s what I’m trying to be, as complete a cricketer as I can, all around the world.”
He added: “It’s just adapting and trying to keep improving, every time you play. At the end of the day, especially in these T20 competitions, it’s basically playing international cricket around the world anyway.
“The standard is that good and the crowds are that big, the intensity is there.” behind by keeper Lauren Griffiths as Belt picked up 2-11 in five overs as Taylor was forced to score all the runs and farm the strike. Unfortunately for Taylor, no other batsman reached double figures as Marsh removed Tara Norris before accounting for the top scorer for 61. Vice-captain DavidsonRichards took the final wicket as Nancy Harman was caught by skipper Beaumont to wrap up a 66-run win. Kent are third in Division 1, with Warwickshire leading the way and Yorkshire in second. Next up is a Bank Holiday double-header against Lancashire and Yorkshire at The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence on Sunday, May 28, and Monday, May 29.