It was back in ’68 – 1868, to be precise – that a group of Aboriginal cricketers from Australia embarked upon the first ever cricket tour of England by an overseas side. It was a tough tour, by all accounts – one man, King Coal, died of tuberculosis and two others had to return to Australia due to ill-health. In all, the Aboriginals played 47 games, at grounds across the length and breadth of England, including The Oval – winning 14 matches, losing 14 and drawing the rest.

150 years later, two new Aboriginal XIs – men’s and women’s – have returned to follow in their footsteps – the men playing in shirts bearing the names of those original pioneers.

We caught up with Sally Moylan – formerly of Aussie state side ACT – who scored 24 runs against Surrey Women at The Oval.

“It’s a moment that I will cherish for ever,” she says.

“It means a lot coming to such an iconic ground as The Oval – it is where a lot of Test matches and famous cricket has been played, including the 1868 tour, which we hold dear to our hearts.”

“It is important, coming over here and reconnecting to that story and learning more about what took place here all those years ago – we went to Lords the other day and saw all the cases from that tour and the gifts that were brought with them.”

“So this tour has been 150 years in the making for us, speaking on behalf of the team. It is such a phenomenal moment and a moment that will live with us for ever – to come all that way to play here and to go on our own journey and start our own legacy, like those men did 150 years ago.”

“Hopefully in many years to come we will have more Aboriginal women playing the game and coming back here; and maybe in a hundred years I won’t be around, but we’ll see someone playing with Gardner on the back of their shirts.”

The Aboriginal Women’s XI were in the end well-beaten by a Surrey side which included England’s Bryony Smith, who hit 50 as Surrey posted 149-6 off their 20 overs, with Ashleigh Gardner talking 2-28.

Smith then went on to take a wicket with the first ball of the Aboriginal XI’s innings – Sara Darney caught by Priya Chatterji at cover – but it was captain Hannah Jones who was to steal the show with the ball, taking 5 wickets for 18 as the Aboriginal XI were bowled out for 113.

For Jones it was a nice warm-up prior to the County T20 Cup starting on Sunday:

“It was a good way to start our T20 season – we really enjoy playing at The Oval – and now we are looking forward to Worcestershire and Warwickshire on Sunday. Bryony Smith is in great form – nothing phases her and she continues to get runs, so we don’t mind her on our side!”

With just 5 days to go until the start of the summer internationals, England have named a 14-player squad for the first two ODIs against South Africa.

Lauren Winfield has been recalled after missing out on the ODI and T20 series’ in India, while Alex Hartley and Fran Wilson have both been omitted. Katherine Brunt and Sarah Taylor both return to the squad after being rested for the India tour.

Interestingly, the ECB’s press release indicates that this squad is only for the first two ODIs of the summer, leaving Mark Robinson’s options open for the third ODI against South Africa and the ensuing T20 tri-series.

The full squad is as follows:

• Heather Knight (captain, Berkshire)
• Tammy Beaumont (Kent)
• Katherine Brunt (Yorkshire)
• Sophie Ecclestone (Lancashire)
• Georgia Elwiss (Sussex)
• Jenny Gunn (Warwickshire)
• Danielle Hazell (Yorkshire)
• Amy Jones (wicketkeeper, Warwickshire)
• Laura Marsh (Kent)
• Anya Shrubsole (Somerset)
• Nat Sciver (Surrey)
• Sarah Taylor (wicketkeeper, Sussex)
• Lauren Winfield (Yorkshire)
• Danni Wyatt (Sussex)

Despite leading the league all season, Hampshire still needed to take close-to maximum points from their final match against Middlesex to make sure of securing a maiden Women’s County Championship; but they did it… and they did it in style – taking all 18 points, and consigning unlucky Middlesex to relegation in the process.

Batting first, Hampshire were wobbling slightly at 64-4, but a century partnership between Ella Chandler (56) and Fi Morris (45) took them to within touching-distance of the 200 they needed for maximum bonus points, and Charlotte Edwards (20) did the rest.

With Yorkshire having already dropped a bonus point batting against Notts, the question then was whether Hampshire could win the game and take 5 wickets in the process. But in the end only Beth Morgan (43) made a significant dent in the scorebook, as Middlesex were bowled out for 144 and Hampshire celebrated without even needing to look at Yorkshire’s result.

Not that Yorkshire really had a bad day – New Zealand’s Leigh Kasperek top-scored with 68 and took 3-19 as they beat Notts by 74 runs; but by taking 7 wickets and scoring 96 for 4 bonus points, Notts did just enough to stay ahead of Middlesex and avoid relegation.

With Somerset already relegated, there were in fact four teams who could theoretically have joined them along with Notts and Middlesex. Lancashire would have to have been very, very unlucky with other results to be relegated; but Warwickshire were in 7th place going into the final day, without a win, but with two ties.

The Bears needed a big win, and they got one, posting 205 v Lancashire, thanks to Sophie Devine (50) and captain Marie Kelly (64). They then bowled Lancs out for 121 to live to fight another season in Div 1 in 2019.

So in the end it was Middlesex who went down to Div 2. Did they deserve relegation? Probably not, but then nor did Notts or Warwickshire – as the teams stand right now, Div 1 is one side too small; but unfortunately that’s the way things are, and although it will be of little consolation to Middlesex, I’d bet my last penny that they will be straight back up again next season.

Finally, at the very foot of the table, Somerset achieved a final day consolation win versus Kent, bowling them out for 126 and chasing the runs thanks to (who else?) Sophie Luff, who hit 76*.

So that’s that for another year! Congratulations to Hampshire; and commiserations to Somerset and Middlesex.

Next on the agenda for the counties is the T20 Cup (without all the England players), and then of course the Super League – so stay tuned and we’ll keep you covered!

Even without their England players, Sussex proved too strong for Berkshire in a one-sided match at North Maidenhead, which confirmed Sussex’s promotion back to Div 1 of the Women’s County Championship.

With Sussex without Georgia Elwiss, Danni Wyatt and Sarah Taylor, Berkshire might have felt hopeful, even while missing their own England talisman, Heather Knight; but put into bat by Sussex, the Beavers were soon in desperate trouble.

Lissy Macleod was brilliantly caught by Abi Freeborn at second slip off Freya Davies with just 8 on the board, bringing Carla Rudd – suffering with a hand injury after a cycling accident in the week – to the crease. Rudd and Emily Cunningham took the score on to 20, before Cunningham skied a catch to Davies at mid on, precipitating a collapse which saw Rudd, Lauren Bell and Ashleigh Muttitt all sent back to the pavilion in quick succession, leaving Berkshire on the brink at 21-5.

A 54-run partnership between Annabel Flack (27) and Phoebe Graham (29) held back the Sussex tidal wave for a while; but both were dismissed by Chiara Green, who took 3-13, and no other Berkshire batsman made a single run – the Beavers finishing all out for a disappointing 94.

In the chase, Georgia Adams was dismissed early – LBW to Graham; but Chiara Green and youngster Ella McCaughan took Sussex past 50, before Green spooned Emma Walker to Lissy Macleod at mid on and McCaughan gave a regulation catch to Carla Rudd, fielding at cover due to her hand injury.

But the damage was already done and Abi Freeborn (27*) and Paige Scholfield (13*) steered Sussex home – Scholfield hitting the only 6 of the match to cow corner in the process.

The result confirmed Sussex as winners of Div 2, and they will be back where they belong, in Div 1 of the Women’s County Championship, next season.

Afterwards, Raf Nicholson spoke to a very happy Sussex skipper, Georgia Adams.

A quick summary of today’s key events*:

Division 1

At Andover, Hampshire beat Middlesex by 63 runs to see them crowned winners of the 2018 Women’s County Championship.

Finishing in second place are Yorkshire, who beat Nottinghamshire by 77 runs at Harrogate but could not quite catch Hampshire on bonus points.

At the other end of the Division 1 table Warwickshire avoided relegation at Newton-le-Willows by winning big against Lancashire – by 84 runs.

It was a tight scrap for who would join Somerset in Division 2 next season between Middlesex (who lost to Hampshire) and Nottinghamshire (who lost to Yorkshire) but ultimately Middlesex lost out, relegated by just 0.17 points.

Division 2

Sussex topped Division 2 with a comprehensive 7-wicket win against Berkshire at North Maidenhead.

Surrey will join them in Division 1 next season, finishing second in Div 2 thanks to an unbeaten hundred and 5 wickets from Bryony Smith, as they beat Essex by 8 wickets at Reeds School.

With Derbyshire and Northamptonshire already relegated, the real question was which of Berkshire and Essex would land up in the play-off with one of the top Division 3 sides. Essex’s inability to see off the Surrey batsmen ultimately cost them big as they failed to secure enough bonus points, and will therefore face off against Suffolk in the play-off on Monday 27th August.

Full results and round-ups to follow.

*NB: This information is based on tweets from individual counties, rather than official scorecards, and may not be wholly accurate.

The Women’s County Championship reaches a finale this weekend, with lots still to play for in both the top 2 divisions.

Bonus points could be critical – here is a reminder of how they work:

Batting First

75 Runs = 1 Bonus Point; 100 = 2; 150 = 3; 200 = 4

Batting Second

1.5 Runs-Per-Over = 1 Bonus Point, 2 = 2; 3= 3; 4 = 4

Bowling

3 Wickets = 1 Bonus Point, 5 = 2; 7 = 3; 9 = 4

So… what do they need to do?

NB – IF YOU ARE A PLAYER, DO YOUR OWN MATHS – WE THINK THIS IS RIGHT, BUT DON’T DEPEND ON IT!!

Div 1

TABLE

Hampshire, Yorkshire or Kent could win the title. Somerset are already relegated, and one of Lancashire, Nottinghamshire, Middlesex or Warwickshire will join them.

Hampshire v Middlesex – Win with 7 or 8 bonus points to be certain of being champions; or else drop no more than 1 bonus point compared with Yorkshire.

Yorkshire v Nottinghamshire – Make up 2 bonus points on Hampshire to be champions.

Kent v Somerset – Win big and hope Hampshire and Yorkshire both lose to be champions.

Lancashire v Warwickshire, Nottinghamshire v Yorkshire & Middlesex v Hampshire – Win to make 100% sure they stay up. (There is a chance any of the three could be relegated if they lose badly and other results go against them.)

Warwickshire v Lancashire – Win big and hope other results go their way to avoid relegation.

Somerset v Kent – Already relegated.

Div 2

TABLE

Two of Sussex, Surrey and Wales will be promoted. Derbyshire and Northamptonshire are already relegated; but everyone except Sussex and Surrey could theoretically be relegated, with the 6th placed side going into a play-off vs one of the top Div 3 sides.

Sussex v Berkshire & Surrey v Essex – Win to guarantee promotion; or hope Wales don’t win big.

Wales v Devon – Win big, and hope one of Sussex or Surrey lose big.

Devon v Wales, Berkshire v Sussex & Essex v Surrey – Win and hope other results go their way to avoid the play-off.

Derbyshire v Northamptonshire & Northamptonshire v Derbyshire – Both already relegated.

* Min/ Max = Minimum/ Maximum Possible Points

In Div 2 of the Women’s County Championship, Sussex and Surrey remain on-course for the two promotion spots, after both had unbeaten weekends.

Surrey hit relegated Derbyshire for a record 404-2 off 50 overs on Sunday, with Nat Sciver making 180 off 98 balls and Kirstie White a by-comparison sedate 80 off 111 balls. They then bowled Derbyshire out for just 50, to claim maximum bonus points – something they failed to quite do on Monday against also-relegated Northants – winning easily thanks to a Bryony Smith 50, but failing to take enough wickets for full bonus points.

Sussex also had a good weekend, beating Devon with maximum bonus points (Georgia Elwiss 4-22 and 39*) after their match against Wales was washed-out; but after stilettoing Northants Berkshire blew their promotion hopes by collapsing to 63 all out against Derbyshire.

This leaves Wales, who thrashed Essex, as the only other team who could possibly be promoted if Sussex (v Berkshire) or Surrey (v Essex) lose badly and they win well against Devon.

(But Wales could actually theoretically end up relegated as well – if they lose badly and other results go against them, they could finish 6th, which means they end up in the Div 3 play-offs!)

* Min/ Max = Minimum/ Maximum Possible Points

Hampshire stay top of the Women’s County Championship going into the final round of matches next weekend, despite losing to Yorkshire on Sunday. Yorkshire reduced Hampshire to 50-7, before Charlotte Edwards (45) and Fi Morris (31) helped them recover to 131 all out, and crucially two batting bonus points.  Yorkshire then found the tables almost turned, at 35-4, before Katherine Brunt (53*) and Hannah Buck (40) brought them home, but for the loss of 6 wickets, which meant another two vital bowling bonus points for Hampshire.

Hampshire then recovered on the Monday to beat reigning champions Lancashire with maximum points, successfully chasing 199 thanks to 103* from Suzie Bates.

With Kent beating Notts on Sunday (Laura Marsh taking 4-32, and then hitting 51*) and then Warwickshire in a reduced match on Monday (Tammy Beaumont 98) they also remain in the mix for the title; but they will need to beat already-relegated Somerset and hope Hampshire and Yorkshire both lose.

Hampshire play Middlesex in their final match at Andover – if they win with either 7 or 8 bonus points, they are champions regardless; but if they drop more than 1 bonus point, Yorkshire could overhaul them by beating Notts at Harrogate, bearing in mind that Yorkshire only need to equal Hampshire’s points average, because they won the match between them.

At the bottom Warwickshire can still survive, but only if they win big against Lancashire and one of the teams above them loses very badly. (If Warwickshire really smash Lancs, then they could even consign the reigning champions to relegation in their stead, if other results go against Lancashire too.)

Surrey made it from 2 from 2 this weekend in a clinical win against Northants at the Northamptonshire County Ground, beating their Division 2 opponents by 87 runs.

Bryony Smith led the charge, making 52 from 42 balls in an innings that will surely help to make the case for her return to the top of the order for Surrey Stars in this year’s Kia Super League.

“Our aim was to win both these 2 games convincingly and get as many bonus points as possible to help our promotion chances,” Smith told CRICKETher after close of play.

“I’ve had a few rough games so it was good the last few days to spend some time in the middle and get some runs on the board.”

“I’m looking ahead to the Super League to dominate in that back at the top of the order. The aim for me [for Surrey Stars] is to open again.”

The two sides were fortunate to get in a game at all after torrential rain fell overnight, leaving the original pitch unplayable due to moisture in the bowler’s run-up. But, after some creative conferring with the groundsmen, the game was moved across to a neighbouring wicket and a 29-overs-a-side match ensued, commencing at 3.30pm.

After winning the toss and putting Surrey in, the Northants bowlers looked dangerous early on, with Kirstie White surviving a convincing appeal for caught behind off Meera Patel’s first ball of the day, and Smith dropped by Alicia Presland off her own bowling after skying it when on just 9*.

The pair eventually added 89 for the first wicket as Smith in particular punished some short bowling, racking up 8 fours, 3 of which were clubbed over midwicket.

The introduction of off-spinner Emily Starr to the attack in the 11th over helped stem the flow as she bowled a consecutive 6-over spell that yielded 3 wickets for 25 runs, including both White (37) caught behind and Smith, bowled by a looping yorker just after bringing up her half-century.

Starr was instrumental, too, in Surrey’s late-order collapse, finishing with a catch and a run out to her name, leaving Extras (29) their third highest scorer and Surrey 8 wickets down at the end of their 29 overs.

Nonetheless Surrey’s total of 181 was always going to be an imposing one for a side whose highest score with the bat this season has been 127.

And while Northants kick-started their effort with successive boundaries in the first over from Amelia Gardner (17) through the off-side, her dismissal at the hands of Beth Kerins 6 overs in set the tone, as 5 Northants batsmen came and went by the 14th over.

Bethan Solomon (32*) and Meera Patel (19) shared a 32-run partnership for the 6th wicket but quickly fell well behind the required rate as the game eventually petered out to a slow conclusion.

For Surrey, it follows on from their annihilation of Derbyshire yesterday at the hands of Nat Sciver (180*) to leave the London-based club in the running for promotion to Division 1 as the Championship wraps up next weekend.

Heather Knight hit a rapid, run-a-ball 64 as Berkshire beat Northants by 9 wickets at Irthlingborough to stay in the fight for promotion from Div 2.

With play washed-out at Edgbaston, your correspondents raced across the Midlands from west to east, arriving at Irthlingborough near Northampton just in time to see the last 2 wickets fall as Berkshire bowled Northants out for 91, with 2 wickets apiece for Lauren Bell, Heather Knight and Lissy Macleod – Northants keeper-batsman Erica Turner left high and dry on 25*, with extras the next highest scorer.

With bonus points potentially critical, Berkshire needed to get the runs within 23 overs to take all 18 points. Northants opening bowler Farida Bibi beat the edge of Knight’s bat in the first over, but it was the only chance the England captain offered, as she cut and drove Berkshire to victory, hitting 8 4s in her 64 as she took the Beavers home with lengths to spare.

Afterwards, Berkshire coach Aftab Habib told CRICKETher:

“We had two good wins at the start of the season, then we had a bit of a wash-out losing to Surrey, but we were very clinical today – it was really pleasing the way we played and hopefully we can do the same tomorrow against Derbyshire as well.”

With previously unbeaten Essex losing to Devon, Div 2 remains absolutely wide-open still, with everyone having lost at least once; but Berkshire do need a win against Derbyshire tomorrow, and they’ll have to do it without Heather Knight, who is rested, to set up a big finale against Sussex in the final round next weekend.