WOMEN PLAYERS TO BE AWARDED COUNTY CAPS AS PART OF CLUB’S 150TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS

Kent are to start a new tradition by awarding caps to the county’s women players.

The move is being introduced as part of the club’s 150th anniversary celebrations.

Director of cricket Paul Downton said that women’s cricket has a strong tradition in Kent and it was only right the team received the same recognition as the men.

A total of 45 past and present players will receive caps in 2020 – the club’s 150th year. Downton explained: “We think, this thing of capped players, that actually we should recognise our Kent women.

“It’s never been part of their history to be awarded caps, 1934, was the first women’s game and I can’t remember how many players have played since then, quite a few.

“We’ve gone back and we’re going to award 45 women’s caps which will go retrospectively back to the start of when women started and will include our current players as well.

“There is no particular date when we’ll do it and there are some details to be completed but I think it’s a really opportune time.

“They were county champions last year, there is a very successful history of women’s cricket and we think it is absolutely right that women should be recognised in the same way that men have been recognised in the past and their contributions to Kent Cricket.

“We think it’s going to be a really good thing, a nice thing and an absolutely correct thing to pick up on this year.

“Kent Cricket’s partnership with Canterbury Christ Church University has enabled us to elevate the women’s game in Kent, and everyone at the club is delighted that we are now able to recognise the best of our Kent Women, especially in the club’s 150th year.”

Women’s head coach Dave Hathrill, added: “I’m really pleased that we are rewarding the contributions and successes of so many players that have represented Kent in the women’s game. “To have won as many accolades as we have as a county over the past 84 years is something we can be proud of, and it now feels ‘right’ that we recognise those players who have gone above and beyond for Kent Women.”

Caps are presented to players who have excelled for their county and 219 county caps have been awarded so far to Kent’s men’s players, starting from back in 1882.

Kent’s women’s team have been county champions a record eight times.

Kent director of cricket Paul Downton