Both Kent and Sussex continued winning streaks this weekend in the fifth round of Championship matches, with comprehensive wins over Warwickshire and Nottinghamshire respectively.

Yorkshire also had a great weekend, beating Middlesex by 9 wickets and securing maximum bonus points, ending Middlesex’s unbeaten record this season.

It means that Kent now sit top of division 1 with an average of 16.4, with Yorkshire catapaulting themselves into 2nd place with an average of 14.

For Surrey, who beat Lancashire by 6 wickets, the star was Sarah Clarke, who took 4-11 to become Surrey’s all-time leading wicket-taker in the county championship (with 123 wickets to her name).

Meanwhile in Division 2, Staffordshire (with an average of 17.5) and Somerset (17.33) are well out in front, following victories yesterday against Wales and Essex respectively.

The next round of Championship matches will take place on 19th July, when all counties will be without their England players (who will be preparing for the start of the Ashes two days later). It will be interesting to see how they fare.

A full summary of the fifth round matches is below:

DIVISION 1

Warwickshire / Kent – Tammy Beaumont continued her excellent domestic form this season as she top-scored for Kent with 67, with her team eventually finishing on 209-8, the highest total of the weekend. Warwickshire then collapsed for 125 all out, as Megan Belt (3-20), Tash Farrant (3-23) and Laura Marsh (2-33) shared the wickets between them.

Lancashire / Surrey – Putting Lancashire in to bat proved to be a good decision by Surrey as Nat Sciver (5-27) and Sarah Clarke (4-11) wreaked havoc, bowling Lancs out for 78. Sciver (28) in conjunction with Susie Rowe (35) then took Surrey to a 6-wicket victory.

Sussex / Nottinghamshire – Holly Colvin’s 4-20, her best figures since returning to competitive cricket, saw Notts bowled out for 132 in 36 overs, with Jenny Gunn’s 39 their top score. Sussex easily chased down the runs in just 28.3 overs with Sarah Taylor (39) ably assisted by Georgia Elwiss (27) and Paige Scholfield (25). Full report here.

Yorkshire / Middlesex – Middlesex lost both openers early and despite a fightback by the middle-order, including 45 from Fran Wilson, they were bowled out in the 40th over for 176. Yorkshire then raced to the required total for the loss of only 1 wicket, with Lauren Winfield finishing on 99 not out! Full report by Georgia Isaac here.

DIVISION 2

Wales / Staffordshire – Lauren Parfitt (30), Gabby Basketter (28) and Naomi Davies (25) took Wales to a respectable 173-8 in their 50 overs, but Staffordshire chased down the target with 8 balls to spare thanks to an unbeaten 47* from Aussie Molly Strano.

Devon / Ireland – In a tight match, Ireland eventually emerged the winners by 7 runs. Batting first, Ireland had put 165 on the board, the highlight being an unbeaten half-century from Kim Garth. Devon began with a 66-run opening partnership between Amara Carr (33) and Aylish Cranstone (22), but after Laura Delany removed both openers they struggled to find runs. After a series of run outs, a direct hit from Robyn Lewis to run out Devon number 11 Lydia Clements saw them bowled out for 158 in the penultimate over.

Durham / Worcestershire – This proved to be the closest match of the weekend, as Durham finished up the eventual winners by just 2 runs. Worcestershire had bowled Durham out for 133 in 37.4 overs – Catherine Chapman top-scored with 31 – but then themselves struggled with the bat. At 89-8, it looked to be all over, but a late 44 from number 6 batsman Lauren Rowles took them to within touching distance of victory. However, she was eventually caught behind with Worcestershire still 3 runs short, and they were subsequently all out for 131.

Essex / Somerset – Somerset won by 29 runs despite having been bowled out for 101, including a remarkable 3-6 across 10 overs by Hannah Jeffrey. But Essex also batted poorly, with only Cordelia Griffith (22) making it to double figures, and were themselves all out for a mere 72 in 34.4 overs.

Sussex’s unbeaten streak continued this weekend as a Holly Colvin four-fer helped them see off Notts by 5 wickets at Billingshurst.

Having won the toss, Sussex captain Sarah Taylor opted to field on a windy morning with some swing in the air for opening bowlers Freya Davies and Izi Noakes, who led off with a pair of maidens.

Notts soon found themselves two down, as Georgie Boyce was run out without scoring and Sonia Odedra also departed cheaply, well caught by Georgia Elwiss at gully off Davies.

Danni Wyatt (36) and Jenny Gunn (39) got things back on track for Notts, but it was Colvin who then did the damage, taking 4/20 in a 10-over spell which saw off Wyatt and Gunn as well as Amy Gauvrit and Zoe Richards.

Aussie Erin Osborne also took 3/28, before Davies came back to finish Notts off in just the 36th over, with 132 on the board.

It didn’t look like a big total, and so it proved, as Sussex knocked off the runs in less than 30 overs: Sarah Taylor leading the way with 39, assisted by Elwiss (27) and Paige Scolfield (25).

On a positive note for Notts and England, Wyatt bowled well again – taking 2/36 in 10 overs, including the big wicket of Elwiss, who struggled to get the spinner off the square and was eventually bowled trying to hoik her through mid on. Jenny Gunn (2/18) also got into the wickets, before Osborne and Colvin wrapped things up for Sussex.

Speaking to CRICKETher after being awarded her Man of the Match champagne, Holly Colvin said:

“I’d like to take that wicket with me every week – it was very helpful and turned quite a lot.”

Referencing her comeback after a year out, she added:

“It’s more enjoyment for me this year, which is really making a difference – enjoyment brings confidence and it’s good to be in a winning team and taking wickets.”

What is the Women’s Cricket Super League?

It’s a new elite-level competition for women’s cricket in England.

How many teams / players will take part?

There will be six teams in the competition.

Are these franchises?

In a word… YES! (The ECB are calling them “hosts” but they are franchises in all-but-name.)

Where will the teams be based?

We don’t know yet – the ECB are currently soliciting host tenders, and are prepared to entertain bids from anyone – Arsenal Football club was mentioned, albeit we imagine mainly in jest! However, requirements for teams to support a certain level of facilities for players, spectators and the media, will mean that in practice all bids seem likely to come from existing men’s First Class counties, or amalgamations thereof. Additionally, the ECB have promised to try to maintain a broad geographical base for WCSL, so teams will be spread throughout the country.

How many overseas stars will we see?

Up to 12 “overseas” superstars will play in WCSL; and it is hoped that the very biggest names in women’s cricket will be involved, such as Australia’s Meg Lanning and West Indies’ Deandra Dottin.

How much are the players getting paid?

That’s up to the individual teams, and in practice the answer (at least initially) is likely to be “not much” but the players have been promised (small) match fees and expenses, which is actually a major step forward. (Most county players today have to pay their own way.)

Is this a T20 league like WBBL?

Initially, yes – 2016 will see WCSL run as a T20 competition, alongside the existing Women’s County Championship and Women’s T20 Cup. But in 2017, the league will extend to embrace the 50-over One Day format.

Will it be on TV?

The ECB are certainly very hopeful in this regard – even raising the possibility that it could be on Free-To-Air TV. However, CRICKETher understands that this would require SKY’s agreement, as they currently own the rights to all cricket played under the auspices of the ICC in England and Wales; so at this stage the answer would have to be that it is “up in the air SKY”!

What happens to the Women’s County Championship?

Officially, nothing – it continues as before, and the ECB are committed to maintaining its funding; but they admit that once the “One Day” WCSL begins in 2017, we are unlikely to see the very top players playing county cricket again.

What happens to Scotland and Ireland?

In the words of Clare Connor… “Good question!” After 2018, they will not be permitted to take part in the Women’s County Championship; and their players will be considered “overseas” from the perspective of WCSL. (Though whether this is compatible with EU law is an open question, and may yet be one for the lawyers.)

As first broken by CRICKETher back in March, the ECB have now officially announced the 6-team Women’s Super League will commence next summer, 2016.

For the first year, the Super League will run as a purely Twenty20 format competition, ALONGSIDE the existing 50-Over County Championship and T20 County Cup. Thereafter the WCSL will evolve to embrace both formats from 2017.

The WCSL is supported by a 4-year, £3 million pound investment from the ECB; who are hoping to attract international stars to the competition alongside home-grown players.

Read Our Women’s Cricket Super League Q & A

Georgia Isaac reports from Edmonton CC

Edmonton CC in London provided the setting for three exciting games of T20 cricket, and considering play began in misty rain it was good that the teams lost only eight overs in the day. For Middlesex, it was an excellent all-round performance as they beat reigning champions Nottinghamshire by 9 wickets, then followed this up with a 10-wicket win over Somerset.

Middlesex captain Izzy Westbury was clearly thrilled with the team’s winning performances. “Our squad of 15 is all pushing for places in the first eleven, and that’s the beauty of Middlesex. There are no superstars, but we’ve got a very good team.”

The first match was between Middlesex and Nottinghamshire. As Notts won the T20 competition last year and have three England internationals in their side, they were always going to be tough opponents. Danni Wyatt was in an explosive mood and hit 89 off only 54 deliveries including eight 4s and two 6s. She gave chances, but the ball was damp, fielders struggled to hold it, and there is always extra pressure when attempting to take the wicket of an international.

Wyatt dominated an opening stand of 86 with captain Sonia Odedra, who was bowled by Izzy Westbury for 25 off 22, including four 4s. Soon afterwards, the persistent drizzle became rain and the players were taken off. Although there was only a short delay, with three fixtures needing to be completed in a day, overs are quickly lost. Each innings was reduced to 16 overs, which meant Notts had just five overs to build on the Wyatt platform.

A second wicket soon fell as Sophia Dunkley had Georgie Boyce stumped for eight, with the score on 132. Ria Raval then took the wickets of England pair Wyatt (89) and Jenny Gunn (0), and with one run added by Abbey Hawkins, Nottinghamshire ended their 16 overs on 136-4.

It was going to be a challenging chase for Middlesex as 136 is a good score after 20 overs and even more impressive after just 16, particularly when the overs were lost not from the start, but midway through the innings. The hosts also lacked one of their top-order batsmen – Cath Dalton – who had injured her ankle at training on Friday night.

Dunkley and Tash Miles opened the batting against Odedra’s pace and Wyatt’s spin. Middlesex attacked from the start, with crisp square drives a feature of Dunkley’s unbeaten 66 off only 46 balls. Miles also batted well, but fell short of a half-century when caught by Zoe Richards off the bowling of Rebecca Widdowson for 42, including five 4s and a 6. Miles fell at 94; Fran Wilson joined Dunkley and they saw Middlesex to an impressive nine-wicket win in 14 overs.

After the game, Sophia Dunkley said that Middlesex had approached the run chase positively throughout. “Tash [Miles] and I normally go out and play quite freely anyway, so it was a good chance to play our natural game, and we pulled it off.”

The second match saw Nottinghamshire face Somerset. Notts again batted first and Wyatt continued her superb form, scoring a boundary-filled 103. Her ability to score all round the wicket again highlighted her quality, and showed she is pushing for a spot in the Ashes squad. Although dropped eight times across the two games, she refused to change her aggressive style of batting. Nottinghamshire completed their innings on 142.

South African-batsman Lizelle Lee and Gwenan Davies opened for Somerset. Lee made a century in her previous county game and is in good form for Bath CC, so hers was the key wicket. She played an entertaining innings, striking the ball powerfully and forming a solid partnership with Anya Shrubsole worth 61 before the England fast bowler was caught by Jenny Gunn off Amy Gauvrit for 27.

This left Somerset on 89-3 after 15 overs, almost completely reliant on Lee if they were to stand a chance of victory. But she was dismissed by Rebecca Widowson for 77, having scored nearly two-thirds of her runs in boundaries, as she took a big swing and was caught by Gauvrit. Somerset fell short by 17 runs, finishing on 125-5.

The final match of the day was between Middlesex and Somerset. Westbury won the toss for the second time and decided to stick with the team’s winning formula by fielding first. Unlike the first match, bowling proved decisive. As number three Fran Wilson is on loan from Somerset, she was not able to play this match, and Danni Warren was brought into the side.

Having watched some of the second match, the team was aware that Lee remained in good form, and that she and captain Anya Shrubsole would probably hold the key to Somerset’s ability to post a challenging total. Middlesex got the wicket they desired as Dattani had Lee caught behind by India Whitty, after a strangled shot down the leg-side, for 2.

Generally Middlesex’s bowling and fielding was of a much higher standard in this match, and wickets fell fairly steadily, with Warren (3-6) picking up three including England Academy’s Sophie Luff, fresh from her 109* in the last round of county matches. Somerset fought until the 16th over when Westbury took the final wicket, and they were all out for just 48.

Once again Sophia Dunkley and Tash Miles proved a successful opening partnership for the hosts. Although Somerset’s opening bowlers Shrubsole and Lee attacked until the end, they simply did not have a high enough total to defend, and found themselves congratulating Middlesex on their 10-wicket win after only 7.5 overs.

Georgia blogs about cricket regularly at https://georgiacricket.wordpress.com.

Kent emerged on top with wins over both Ireland and Berkshire yesterday at Finchampstead CC, in the opening round of this season’s Women’s Twenty20 Cup.

Kent‘s first victory, against Ireland, was a convincing one, as half-centuries from Charlotte Edwards (53) and Tammy Beaumont (61) provided the platform for a 46-run win.

They followed this up with a 4-run victory against Berkshire.

Speaking to CRICKETher after the three matches were complete, Kent captain Charlotte Edwards admitted that the day – which saw Kent play back-to-back T20 games, the last of which went on until gone 7.30pm – had been tiring, but said that she felt the format was a good one.

“It’s been pretty tough, but this level of cricket should be tough. We’re really pleased with how we’ve played today against a good Ireland team and Berkshire team.”

Berkshire v Ireland

Berkshire beat Ireland with 10 balls to spare, thanks to an unbeaten partnership of 89 between their international superstars Heather Knight (54*) and Alex Blackwell (42*).

Ireland, batting first having won the toss on a cold, drizzly morning in Berkshire, looked to play positively from the get-go; but lost crucial wickets early – Issy Joyce in the first over, edging Immy Brown to Heather Knight at slip; Clare Shillington in the second, bowled by Knight.

Cecilia Joyce then took Brown for 15 off the third, including 3 consecutive 4s, to take the visitors to 27/2 after 3 overs; but generally boundaries looked hard to find on a slow, damp outfield. Nevertheless, Ireland continued to play pugnacious Twenty20 cricket, and ultimately progressed to 104/5 from their overs, Laura Delany top-scoring with 32*.

Berkshire’s reply started slowly, as they lost opener Alex Rogers to a 7-ball duck and Lissy McLeod for 2; but this brought Blackwell and Knight together and although they eschewed the big shots that the Irish had been looking to play, they nonetheless did the job they needed to do, seeing things through in the 18th over, without ever looking in any trouble.

Kent v Ireland

Half centuries from Charlotte Edwards (53) and Tammy Beaumont (61) in a century opening stand provided the platform for Kent to convincingly beat Ireland.

For the first 10 overs, Edwards and Beaumont dealt largely in scampering singles, harrying the field at every ball. Beaumont in particular played very straight and looked solid and in command with her punchy drives. Then Kent began to open up – a more expansive approach which led to Edwards being dropped 3 times in the space of 7 balls in the 11th and 12th overs.

Reaching their 50s in the same over, both perished soon after – Edwards run out and Beaumont bowled attempting an uncharacteristic slog off O’Reilly. But the damage had been done by then, and Kent’s final total of 144 was always going to be a mountain for the Irish.

And so it proved. Although the Irish maintained a respectable run rate of around 5 throughout their innings, with good contributions from Laura Delany (25*) and Issy Joyce (22), they fell well short in the end, finishing on 98/5.

Berkshire v Kent

In the day’s final game, Berkshire narrowly failed to beat Kent, with the action going down to the wire as Berkshire were left needing 4 runs off the final ball. But Laura Marsh held her nerve and bowled Daisy Gardner, who was attempting to slog the required boundary.

With Kent having won the toss and elected to bat, it was again Edwards (39) and Beaumont (22) who laid down the platform in an opening stand of 44. Eventually Beaumont was out to Gardener, playing across herself for the second time in the day… and getting bowled for the second time in the day!

Edwards was then joined by Lydia Greenway, and the pair took the score to 65/1 after 10 overs. Berkshire, though, did well to pull back the run-rate in the second half of Kent’s innings, as they finished on 117/4.

As Ireland had earlier in the day, Berkshire maintained a fairly consistent rate of 5-an-over in the first two-thirds of their innings, thanks to Knight (27), Lissy Macleod (24) and Alex Blackwell (20). But with none of the top batsmen able to quite push-on far enough, it was left Berkshire’s late-order to get them back into it, smashing and crashing the ball around in the latening gloom to take them close – though not quite close enough.