18-05-2025
More cricket should be played at out-grounds like Fenner's
Refreshingly, the groundsman did not decide to bring the boundaries in close simply because it was women's cricket, and nor was it needed. Kent happily piled on the runs in the first innings after being put in to bat, hitting 192 for three from their 20 overs, winning by 80 runs in the end. Although it is worth noting that the young Cambridgeshire side conceded 22 extras, including 17 wides.
But the context cannot be forgotten. Cambridgeshire were given just £30,000 funding from the ECB this year, and for taking part in this competition they had to comply with professional regulations. At a cost to the county new helmets had to be issued because in this tournament, stem guards to protect the neck are mandatory.
There is also a requirement for two 'super soppers' to soak up water, which one national county had to rent at a reported cost of more than £600 per day. It is a far cry from the millions put into the game at the higher levels, and the realities can hit hard.
But for those on the field, the new competition is exciting and offers the opportunity to impress.
'It's been a pretty cool experience to play,' Cambridge's Jess Pugh told Telegraph Sport sitting on the outfield after close of play. 'To get the experience to play Kent, I mean the result didn't go our way but it's a great opportunity to see where we are compared to them.'
At this level, there are realities the professional sides do not have to deal with. When asked about their trip to Northumberland in the previous round, Pugh, who has only just turned 18, said: 'We struggled a bit with availability because of obviously how young our team is.
'Some people are mid-exam season, so they're not going to be able to get it off.'
Laura Robinson, her team-mate, who sometimes has to take annual leave from her job to play matches, added: 'It makes it easier now that Cambridge are actually paying for those facilities like hotels and contributing to travel. That makes it a lot easier on our part to play those away games and again, play against different types of cricket.'
There are certainly far worse ways to spend an afternoon than sitting and watching cricket at a historic ground that was leased to the University in 1848 for the purpose of playing cricket, and which hosted its first first-class match the same year.
I came away with no doubt that more matches should be played on grounds like this one.
