Hampshire (women) vs Essex (women) – match 2 – League One – at the Utilita Bowl, Southampton on Saturday 11 April 2026
Skippered by Naomi Dattani (pictured), hit the winning two runs for Hants women beating Essex women with just two balls to spare. Naomi Dattani also took two wickets. Described by commentators as an ‘England prospect,’ Jodi Grewcock [80 runs (from 97balls)]; made top-score for Essex women; partnered by Lissy MacLeod 46(67). Their partnership banked 94 runs. Cameos by Sophia Smale 33(29) and Amara Carr 33(44) nudged Essex women past 250. An exciting match unfolded as Ella McCaughan 90(110) partnered by Abi Norgrove 85(109) added 147 runs uninterrupted for thirty overs, to place Hants women within sight of victory. Commentators (unannounced) mentioned a ‘fast outfield.’ Believed to have been Georgie Heath (Women’s cricket chat) with Phil Green (Hursley Park) and Gen Jeer (Kent Cricket academy.) Weather was dry and sunny with noticeable breeze 14C.
Essex (women) wearing mauve tops and blue batting pads; skipper Grace Scrivens; [Rhianna Southby keeping wicket for Hants]; *’Huge’ wicket when Grace Scrivens sliced a thick-edge to Maia Bouchier who caught at ’slip,’ from Linsey Smith changing to coming ‘over-the-wicket;’ *Cordelia Griffith was ‘run out’ by Naomi Dattani’s ‘flicked-up’ diving throw from ‘mid-off,’ to keeper Rhianna Southby at the striker’s end; *Score 39/2 after 10 overs power-play; *Lissy MacLeod was ‘run out’ at the non-striker’s end by Bex Tyson’s direct-hit from ‘mid-on;’ *Drinks taken on 23.5 overs; *Next over, Jo Gardner went plumb ‘leg before’ to Bex Tyson’s quicker ball, for a ‘golden duck;’ *Score 120/4 after 25 overs; *Flo Miller was caught from a ‘leading edge’ by Francesca Sweet, from Amanda-Jade Wellington’s spin; *’England prospect’ Jodi Grewcock made top-score until bowled ‘middle-stump’ off her thigh-pad by Naomi Dattani; *Amara Carr, 43.5 ov), was bowled ‘through-the-gate’ by Linsey Smith; *Finally Sophia Smale was bowled during Naomi Dattani’s ‘death over;’Essex women batting: Jodi Grewcock 80(97); Lissy MacLeod 46(67); Sophia Smale 33(29); Amara Carr 33(44); Kate Coppack 17*not out(17); Flo Miller 12(19); Hampshire women bowling: Naomi Dattani 2/43(8); Linsey Smith 2/48(10); Bex Tyson 1/41(10); Amanda-Jade Wellington 1/48(10);
Hampshire (women) dark blue tops with yellow hoops, side-stripes and yellow batting pads; acting skipper Naomi Dattani; [Amara Carr keeping wicket for Essex]; with international debutante Amanda-Jade Wellington (Australia A); and debutante Francesca Sweet; *Following three ‘dot’balls, Maia Bouchier ‘chipped’ to ‘mid-off,’ caught by Jo Gardner, from Esmae MacGregor *Scores 39/2 (vs 26/1) after 10 overs power-play; & 105/1 (vs 120/4) after 25 overs; *Top-scorer Ella McCaughan was caught-and-bowled from Sophia Smale’s first ball of her second spell; After contemplating accidental ‘commentators curses,’ Abi Norgrove was caught at ‘long-on’ by Sophia Smale, from Grace Scrivens; *Rhianna Southby unselfishly sacrificed herself (for Freya Kemp) when ‘run out’ by Flo Miller’s throw to keeper Amara Carr at the striker’s end; *When Freya Kemp was caught at ‘long-off’ by Jo Gardner from Eva Gray: eight runs were required from six balls remaining; Hampshire women batting: Ella McCaughan 90(110); Abi Norgrove 85(109); Freya Kemp 46(43); Naomi Dattani 25*not out(18); Essex women bowling: Esmae MacGregor 1/31(7); Sophia Smale 1/45(10); Eva Gray 1/47(8); Grace Scrivens 1/62(10);
Match result: Hampshire (women) 266/5 (target 266 from 50 ov @7.8 runs-per-over from 49.4/50 overs) beat Essex (women) 265/8 (@7.8 runs-per-over from 50/50 overs) by five wickets with two balls remaining
*Scorecard with video highlights, courtesy of ECB via nv play at url: https://live.nvplay.com/ecb/?tab=m_summary#mc5520000-6664-a623-c87d-08de2dc247ab
*Upcoming League one fixtures @url: https://www.ecb.co.uk/news/4408104/metro-bank-one-day-cup-womens-competition-fixtures-2026
