Susie Wilson Rowe: The former England and Kent international has been diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer

Wilson-Rowe said the pain she began to feel left her struggling to cough, sneeze and lift her son, as well as difficulty breathing at times.

Initially, it was attributed to a muscle strain, but further tests and X-rays revealed a tumor in her left lung and it had spread.

She is currently undergoing chemotherapy and immunotherapy, which the statement said has been “successful so far.”

Kent has set up a fund to raise money to cover the costs of Wilson Rowe’s ongoing care and treatment, while some will go to Exon 20 Group, a charity researching treatments for this type of lung cancer.

“Susie gave so much to cricket, as a player, coach, mentor and friend, and inspired countless others with her strength, kindness and relentless leadership,” Kent’s statement said.

Wilson Rowe made 79 appearances for Kent over two spells during her career, having come through the club’s path.

She won the Women’s County Championship five times between 2006 and 2012 as well as the Women’s National T20 competition in 2011.

London-born Wilson Rowe spent two seasons with Surrey before leaving the sport in 2015, during which she played field hockey, but returned to Kent in 2020 and was part of the team that won the T20 South East Group and the London Women’s Championship.

The right-handed batsman represents the London Spirit during the inaugural edition of The Hundred before retiring from the game at the end of the 2021 season.