Lancashire Thunder (women) vs Somerset (women) (match 15, league one – ‘double-header’ fixture) at Manchester Emirates Old Trafford on 29 May 2026
Thunder women bagged their first t20 win this season, defeating Somerset women who lost their unbeaten record after a ‘one-sided’ match. Batting first, Somerset women lost two wickets in five balls to spinner Hannah Jones who took 3/20. Turning to Thunder’s innings, opener Eve Jones partnered by guest Australian Meg Lanning posted 98 for Thunder’s first wicket, followed by a second substantive partnership (for their third-wicket) with Grace Johnson. Top scorer Meg Lanning [75*not out (from 48 balls)] scored a second unbeaten ‘fifty’ and carried-her-bat when Thunder skipper Ellie Threlkeld – pictured wearing England colours hit the winning ‘single.’ Somerset women’s best bowler was Erin Vukusic (seamer) who took three wickets: 3/30. Lancashire cricket TV Livestream commentator: Scott Read; (Sports journalist, BBC radio Lancashire) with Phoebe Graham (Thunder player) and corporate introductory by Sir Clive Lloyd (newly elected President of Lancs CCC.) Weather: mainly cloudy with light breeze, notably cooler than a few days ago, ‘comfortable’ 20C.
Somerset women wearing pink over black with plum helmets *skipper Sophie Luff; *[Ellie Threlkeld keeping wicket for Thunder] *record youngest debutante Venus Weerappulli (16yo); *with international player Anika Learoyd (Australia); *without Charlie Dean, Dani Gibson, Heather Knight (England IT20 World-Cup call-up); *After 6 overs ‘power-play’ *Mis-timing to ‘square,’ Bex Odgers went ‘leg-before’ to Hannah Jones; *Anika Learoyd was bowled ‘middle-and-off’ with bails sent flying by Hannah Jones; *After 6 overs ‘power-play’ 45/2; *Mis-timing to ‘square’, Niamh Holland was caught at ‘deep mid-wicket’ by Fi Morris, from Venus Weerappulli; *by ‘mid-way ’74/3 (after 10 overs); *Sophie Luff overstepped, was stumped by Ellie Threlkeld, from Trudy Johnson; *Katie Jones was caught-and-bowled by Fi Morris diving across the pitch; *Mistiming ‘reverse-sweep, Alex Griffiths went ‘leg before’ to bowler Hannah Jones; Somerset women batting: Sophie Luff 42(31); Bex Odgers 23(15); Jess Hazell 23*not out(29); Katie Jones 16(9); Alex Griffiths 14(18); Thunder women bowling: *Hannah Jones 3/20(4); Grace Johnson 1/22(3); Fi Morris 1/7(1); Venus Weerappulli 1/29(4);
Thunder women wearing rose red with light green and dark blue shoulder stripes and red pads; *skipper Ellie Threlkeld [Katie Jones keeping wicket for Somerset]; *With international player Meg Lanning (Australia) *with Ailsa Lister without Darcey Carter (Scotland IT20 World-Cup call-up); *also without Sophie Ecclestone, Emma Lamb or Mahika Gaur (England IT20 World-Cup call-up); *After 6 overs ‘power-play’ 62/0 (vs 45/2); *by ‘mid-way (after 10 overs); 95/0 (vs74/3); *Mis-timing ‘slog,’ Eve Jones was bowled by Erin Vukusic’s ‘full-pace’ delivery; *Next ball, Danni Collins was caught at ‘third’ by Liv Barnes, from Erin Vukusic’s slower ball; *Surviving ‘hat-trick’ delivery but mis-timing ‘slog-sweep,’ Grace Johnson, went ‘leg before’ to bowler Erin Vukusic; Thunder women batting: Meg Lanning 75*not out(48); Eve Jones 43(31); Grace Johnson 16(12); Somerset women bowling: Erin Vukusic 3/30(4);
Match result: Lancashire Thunder (women) 138/3(@8.9 runs-per-over from 15.3 overs, target 138 from 20ov.) beat Somerset (women) 137/6 (@6.8 r-p-o from 20ov.) by seven wickets
*Scorecard with video highlights, courtesy of ECB via nv play at url: https://live.nvplay.com/ecb/?tab=m_scorecard#me5e80000-9b94-4272-410c-08de2c26e0d0
*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: http://4theloveofsport.co.uk/2026/05/17/metro-bank-one-day-cup-league-one-women/
