Warks and Kent women enjoy Palace reception

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Warwickshire and Kent women today went to Buckingham Palace for the annual reception to honour the winners of the men’s and women’s LV= County Championships.

A party of 50 Warwickshire players, coaches, wives, partners, committee members and senior management departed Edgbaston this morning for London, for the county’s first championship reception since they won the title in 2004.

Both parties initially attended a lunch reception hosted by the Lord’s Taverners, who were jointly hosting the official reception with HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

Warwickshire all-rounder Chris Woakes said: “The LV= County Championship is the pinnacle of domestic cricket so to get this reward of meeting HRH The Duke of Edinburgh and visit Buckingham Palace is something that we’re all looking forward to.”

Warwickshire captain Jim Troughton is presented with the LV= County Championship trophy by HRH Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh

Batsman Laurie Evans received a few tips on etiquette from his uncle, Greg Searle MBE, who won a rowing bronze medal at the London 2012 Olympics.

Evans said: “I’ve certainly been doing my preparation in advance. My uncle Greg was actually at the Palace yesterday as part of an Olympians reception, so it’s been very handy to have that advice of what to do and what not to do, as it’s certainly not an opportunity that comes up every day.”

Kent Cricket Board operations director Clair Gould said: "County champions for a fifth year, and with six England players in the 2012 squad, the Kent women's team are consistent achievers, something which the people of Kent can be very proud of.”

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