Leicestershire Thrash Kent To Pick Up First Tier Two Win

Leicestershire Women secured a commanding seven-wicket victory over Kent to open their account as a Tier Two county.

The Foxes chased a target of 118 in just 24 overs, with stand-in skipper Ellen Watson (37*) leading from the front during the Metro Bank One Day Cup clash at Canterbury.

Vice-captain Watson captained Leicestershire in the absence of Becki Brooker, and got off to a strong start by calling correctly at the toss. The Scotland international opting to bowl first at The Spitfire Ground, as Flora Davies, D’Nica Roff, and Lucy Weston all returned to the XI.

The Foxes attack were rampant early on, with new-ball duo Emma Thatcher and Ellie Phillips continuing the impressive form demonstrated in the opening two matches of the campaign.

First, Kent opener Amy Gordon “ who smashed an unbeaten hundred in the Horses’ victory over Derbyshire last week “ edged Thatcher behind to wicketkeeper Sophie Bennett for a six-ball duck. Then the left-arm seamer struck again, as Megan Sturge (8) flicked to April Herathge at square leg.

12 for two became 16 for three in Phillips’ next over. Laura Crofts, also at square leg, taking a mesmerising catch to dismiss Sophie Singer for a single off 28 balls to end a tortured innings. Crofts was duly mobbed by her teammates in recognition of the grab.

Holly Whitfield “ on the back of a debut four-fer last weekend “ was introduced to the attack just as a home partnership was brewing. Coco Streets (14) thin edging to Bennett after a 33-run stand with Genevieve Jeer.

Jeer (27) was next to go, bowled by Crofts, as wickets continued to tumble. The same bowler struck again in exactly the same style, albeit from round the wicket, as a change in angle accounted for Grace Poole (2) to leave Kent reeling on 74 for six at the midway point of their innings.

Phillips returned to trap Olivia Barnes (4) in front, before the final three wickets all fell to Leicestershire leg-spin. Herathge had Zeena Bilal (10) caught by Phillips at mid-wicket, while Davies was in play in the same position to catch Isabella James (1) off Roff’s bowling. Molly Davis (20) was then leg-before to Herathge, ending the Kent innings on 117.

Leicestershire began their pursuit strongly, racing to 21 without loss inside four overs, at which point Bennett (11) was pinned in front by Barnes.

Lucy Weston came out firing, clubbing a James full-toss over the mid-wicket ropes as salient evidence of her intent. A mix up with Flora Davies saw the latter run out for 18 in the following over, before Weston (29) chipped Megan Belt to mid off five overs later to leave the Foxes 76 for three.

The game was virtually wrapped up by that point, however. Watson was in cruise control, showing an array of shots “ including a crisp drive off Jeer “ to close in on the victory target.

Francesca Sweet slog-swept Belt for a monstrous six at the end of the 21st over to take the ask down to just a dozen more runs, before Watson sealed victory after 24 overs with a lusty blow off Sturge. The Scotland star ending on 37 not out, Sweet unbeaten on 18, with Leicestershire home by seven wickets.

The Foxes return to action on Saturday in Vitality T20 Women's County Cup action at Uptonsteel County Ground, taking on either Lincolnshire or Cheshire. Tickets can be purchased HERE.