Essex (Eagles) (women) vs Somerset (women) (match 41, league one – ‘stand-alone’ fixture) at The Ambassador Cruise Line Ground, Chelmsford (Essex) on 7 July 2026
Described by commentators as a ‘cracking’ match with Somerset womens’ hopes for finals-day ’still alive.’ ‘Disappointing’ result for the hosts, whose dreams for finals-day were ‘dashed.’ When batting, Essex womens’ skipper Grace Scrivens [73 runs (from 51 balls)] made top-score. Key partnerships with Anneke Bosch banked 43 runs for Essex first-wicket followed by 99 runs when partnered by Sophia Smale 43(29.) Turning to Somerset women who played a book-end’ innings. Only two batters posting double-figures. Key to getting Somerset ‘over the line’ was stand-out batter Niamh Holland [92*not out runs (from 54 balls)] – the ‘mainstay’ of Somerset’s batting; who accounted for half their total score. For Essex women, Esmae MacGregor ‘showed her worth,’ (as best bowler) taking a 4-fer (taking 4wickets/conceding 26 runs.) Having ‘dragged it back,’ Esmae Magregor was given a ‘large responsibility’ to defend seven runs from her final over. Short of a ‘ton,’ Niamh Holland ‘held her nerve,’ scoring ‘two’ to win from the penultimate ball. Commentators were Guy Swindells (Sports journalist) for Essex Cricket, with guest Isabelle Duncan (BBC Essex.) Weather: Sunny afternoon ‘ideal’ for cricket 24C.
Essex women wearing full-fronted red, full-backed mauve over sleeveless navy blue; *skipper Grace Scrivens; *[Jess Hazell keeping wicket for Somerset women];*with Bryony Gillgrass (England Women U19 Tri-Series Squad 2026); *with Liberty Heap (Lancs Thunder loan); *with international player Anneke Bosch (Republic of South Africa); *Anneke Bosch was caught aerial at ‘point’ by Niamh Holland, from Erin Vukusic; *After 6 overs ‘power-play (vs47/3); *Score 103/1 by ‘mid-way (after 10 overs); *Left-handed batter Sophia Smale was caught by Lola Harris from Erin Vukusic; *Left-handed batter Grace Scrivens went ‘leg-before’ to Chloe Skelton; *Next ball Liberty Heap was caught by Anika Learoyd from Chloe Skelton for a ‘golden duck;’ *Jo Gardner was caught ‘in-the-deep’ by Alex Griffiths from Erin Vukusic; Essex women batting: Grace Scrivens 73(51); Sophia Smale 43(29); Jo Gardner 19(18); Anneke Bosch 18(11); Jodi Grewcock 15*not out(9); Somerset women bowling: Erin Vukusic 3/31(4); Chloe Skelton 2/28(3);
Somerset women wearing all-black with plum helmets and black caps; *skipper Sophie Luff; *[Ariana Dowse keeping wicket for Essex women] *with international player Anika Learoyd (Australia Womens’ Big Bash League); *without Charlie Dean, Heather Knight (England Test Match call-up); *Bex Odgers was caught by Sophia Smale, from seamer Sophie Munro; *Sophie Luff was caught at ‘long-on’ by ‘juggling’ Bryoni Gillgrass, from Sophie Munro; *Mis-judging the line, Anika Learoyd was bowled by seamer Eva Gray; *Level-pegging after 6 overs ‘power-play 46/3 (vs 47/3); *Mis-timing ‘slog-sweep,’ Alex Griffiths was caught at ‘deep mid-wicket’ by Anneke Bosch, from Grace Scrivens; *Score 89/4(vs 103/1) by ‘mid-way (after 10 overs); *Attempting a ‘flick’ Jess Hazell ‘played all around’ a yorker, bowled by Esmae MacGregor; *Chloe Skelton was caught at ‘mid-off’ by Eva Gray, from Esmae MacGregor’s spin; *Mis-timing ‘slog-sweep,’ Lola Harris was clean-bowled by Esmae MacGregor; *Liv Barnes wafered a ‘top-edge’ to keeper Ariana Dowse, from Esmae MacGregor; Somerset women batting: Niamh Holland 92*not out(54); Anika Learoyd 35(23); Essex women bowling: Esmae MacGregor 4/26(3.5); Sophie Munro 2/32(2); Grace Scrivens 1/33(3); Eva Gray 1/37(4);
*Match result: Somerset (women) 178/8 (@8.9 runs-per-over/target 178 from 19.5/20ov.) beat Essex (women) 177/5 (@8.8 r-p-o from 20ov.) by two wickets with one ball remaining
*Video scorecard, courtesy of ECB via nv play @url: https://live.nvplay.com/ecb/?tab=m_scorecard#me5e80000-9b94-4272-8054-08de2c26e35e
*Upcoming League one ‘Vitality Blast’ (20ov.) fixtures @url: http://4theloveofsport.co.uk/2025/12/17/vitality-blast-league-one-fixtures-for-2026-3-of-4/
*Upcoming League one ‘MetroBank’ (50ov.) fixtures with mid-term results @url: https://live.nvplay.com/ecb/?tab=m_summary#me5e80000-9b94-4272-bf7b-08de2c26e211
