By Liam Knight
Kent Cricket has confirmed the appointment of Megan Belt as Kent Women’s new Captain, ahead of the start of an exciting new season.
The 26-year-old has enjoyed a storied ten-year Kent career to-date after making her debut for Kent Women aged 16 in May 2013.
She has made over 100 appearances for the Horses since, taking over 152 wickets at an average of just 16.40 with her right-arm off-spin.
In her time as a Kent cricketer so far, Margate-born Belt has won three Women’s County Championships, two Women’s National T20 Cups, one Women’s London Championship & two Regional T20 titles. She was awarded Kent Women Cap no. 49 in December 2020 in appreciation of her service to-date for the Horses.
Belt replaces Tammy Beaumont as captain, who led the Horses to multiple titles since the 2017 season, who has stepped down due to the demands of regional, franchise and international cricket limiting her availability for her county.
Belt said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be the new captain of Kent Women. I’ve loved my time as a Kent Cricketer until now.
“I have so many great memories of winning titles with my county – it’s my job now to lead this young, hungry squad to add more success for the Horses.
“Tammy was a fantastic skipper and I hope that I can lead as well as she has. Like her, I’m there to guide the next generation of Kent Women cricketers from our excellent Talent Pathway into the first-team, and hopefully on to regional and franchise level.”
Kent Women’s new skipper was in attendance at the first ever Kent Girls Super Camp at Sevenoaks School last month. 78 girls from across the Kent Girls Area Cricket Programme and Talent Pathway attended over the three days, with over sixty players every day.
Kent’s Women’s and Girls’ Pathway Manager, Dave Smith, said: “Megan is a natural leader for this group and we’re delighted to have her as Captain going forward.
“Despite her young age, she has many years of experience both playing in and winning tournaments as a Kent Women cricketer. She’ll play a vital role, alongside our Women’s coaches throughout the Talent Pathway, in nurturing the next generation of talented players to come through our system.”
Kent Women’s squad has been working hard on their games throughout this Winter training programme. Starting with alternate Saturdays before the Christmas break, the Women’s squad moved to every Saturday from January onwards at Polo Farm in Canterbury.
There has been a change to the coaching structure this year. Dave Hathrill has stepped down from his role as Head Coach with Dave Smith and Richard Durrant heading up the coaching team for the Women’s squad this season.
Thanking Hathrill for his service, Smith said: “Dave navigated us through a difficult time with the attention focusing more on the Regional Women’s structure since 2020. I’d like to thank him for his time and energy he dedicated to the role during his tenure.”
Kent Women’s new Head Coaches have been assisted this Winter by the likes of: former Kent & England wicketkeeper Geraint Jones, former Kent batter James Hockley, former Kent off-spinner Darren Scott, Men’s Second XI Head Coach Mark Dekker, Sunrisers Regional Talent Manager James Nordin, and Kent Cricket League’s highest wicket taker, Andy Tutt.
They have also enjoyed strength and conditioning sessions with Lucinda Howland from Canterbury Chris Church University, who are the long-standing Headline Partner for Kent Women.
Kent Women’s season is set to begin this April, with confirmation of the Horses’ 2024 schedule to follow very shortly.
Entry to Kent Women matches is free for all Kent Members. Full details of 2024 Kent Cricket Membership are available here.