County champions Essex and Kent enjoy House of Lords date

Essex lifted the Specsavers County Championship, their second title in three years, after clinching enough points in a dramatic title decider against Somerset at Taunton having lost only one match all year in the competition.

Victory over Lancashire sealed the Royal London Women’s One-Day Championship for Kent as they made it six wins from six to claim their first 50-over title since 2016.

It is Kent’s eighth 50-over trophy which means they have now become the most successful county in the history of the women’s County Championship.

The Lord's Taverners ECB Trophy is the official name of the silverware awarded to the winners of the men's County Championship, while the women's One-Day champions receive the Lady Taverners ECB Trophy.

This is the 46th year that the county champions have enjoyed a reception with the Lord's Taverners since the trophy was introduced for the first time by the charity's Patron and Twelfth Man, HRH the Duke of Edinburgh in 1973. He recognised that until that time, the champions had never received a physical trophy so decided to introduce one.

Tom Westley, captain of Essex, said: "It’s a privilege to be at the House of Lord’s with the team and the Championship trophy today. It’s been an amazing year for everyone connected with the Club and it’s a nice way to celebrate the hard work and commitment from the players, coaching staff and everyone behind the scenes.

“I think it’s also the perfect opportunity to reflect on the amazing work Ryan ten Doeschate did during his captaincy. A lot of the rise that the club has seen in red-ball cricket has been down to him, and his record as skipper speaks for itself. Without him, we wouldn’t have enjoyed the success we have over the last four years and we most likely wouldn’t be at the House of Lord’s today.

“2019 was a long and tough campaign, so this is nice way to look back on our achievements and triumphs, but it’s also a reminder for everyone about what we’re fighting for again in 2020.”

Kent Cricket’s, Lauren Griffiths, said: “I’m proud to join my teammates one last time to collect the Royal London Women’s County Championship Trophy. I have loved playing for Kent Women and it is an honour to be accepting the trophy on behalf of all the players.”

Also presented on the day were the ECB Domestic Journalism Awards to recognise the coverage of the domestic game across all levels of the media.

The Christopher Martin Jenkins Young Cricket Journalist of the Year award was presented to Charlie Taylor at BBC Radio Somerset and he made it a double having been named as the Domestic Cricket Broadcaster of the Year. The Yorkshire Post was named as Regional Newspaper of the Year while the award for Outstanding Newspaper Coverage of Domestic Cricket went to the Daily Telegraph with thecricketer.com winning the Online Award.