Kent to Bid for Professional Women’s Cricket Team in England’s Top Tier
Kent County Cricket Club has announced its intention to bid for one of eight professional women’s teams in England’s top domestic competition, set to launch in 2025. This move marks a departure from the current South East Stars regional side, which has represented Kent and Surrey in recent years.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has invited first-class counties to tender for Tier 1 women’s professional clubs, aiming to align teams more closely with existing counties and their men’s teams. This restructuring aims to address the identity crisis faced by some regional teams and expand marketing opportunities for the domestic women’s game.
Kent Women’s Captain Megan Belt expressed her excitement about the prospect of a professional team in Kent. She emphasized the transformative impact it would have on training, practice, and support staff, which would significantly enhance the team’s competitiveness.
Kent Women have a rich history of success, having won 10 league championships and five T20 titles. They last won the Women’s County Championship in 2019. The club has produced several international representatives, including Tammy Beaumont, Tash Farrant, Alice Davidson-Richards, and Lydia Greenway.
Kent’s Director of Cricket, Simon Cook, highlighted the club’s commitment to providing a professional future for aspiring female cricketers. He believes that a professional Kent Women side would continue to produce England players through the club’s talent identification and training programs.
The ECB is expected to announce the successful bids later this year. If Kent’s bid is successful, the county will join the ranks of professional women’s cricket teams in England, competing against the best domestic sides for silverware.