Defending champions Lancashire posted what looked on paper like a very competitive total in match 10 of the ECB Women’s One Day Cup 2026. However, Somerset walked away with the win in what was a thrilling, engaging contest at Trafalgar Road Ground, Southport.
Somerset won the toss and chose to field, a decision that looked right when Lancashire found themselves three wickets down for 90 inside the first 24 overs. While Alice Clarke fell cheaply for 6 in just the third over, caught off the lively Lola Harris, Seren Smale for 18 ofg captain Charlie Dean, and opener Eve Jones, batted watchfully for her 38 off 69 balls, departed to Harris again just past the midway point of the innings.
The partnership between Ellie Threlkeld and Fi Morris pulled Lancashire out of a state of bother. Threlkeld, batting at four, anchored the innings with a fine 71 off 85 balls, smashing nine boundaries. On the other hand, Morris remained proactive in her run-a-ball 52, including four boundaries and a six, the catalyst that pushed Lancashire beyond 200. The Somerset’s bowlers found it hard to contain when this pair got going.
The dismissal of Threlkeld at 178 in the 40th over opened up the game as Fi Morris fell shortly after on 209. Ailsa Lister and Kate Cross chipped in scoring 20(19) and 21 (23) to push the total past 250 as they finished on 259.
For Somerset, the pick of the bowlers was Griffiths, who finished with 3 wickets from 10 overs for 51 runs, and she was by some distance the most threatening on the day. Harris also took 2 wickets. Notably, they gifted away 21 runs as extras, bowling 14 wides, conceding 6 runs off byes.
Somerset’s reply began briskly. Rebecca Odgers hit three fours in her 17 before being caught off Mahika Gaur and Niamh Holland added a composed 25 before becoming one of Sophie Ecclestone’s three victims. At 53 for 2, Somerset needed an anchor and in walked Heather Knight provided the former. The former England captain looked authoritative throughout her 63 off 79 balls, classy as ever hitting five fours and a six.
While Somerset lost captain Sophie Luff for just 10, off Darcey Carter, Anika Learoyd stitched a crucial partnership during her stay, scoring 32 off 34 balls, including a six, making sure to keep the run rate within reach. When she was dismissed by Grace Potts at 132 for 4, the momentum shifted, though Knight was still in the middle and Somerset still had 6 wickets, the equation was tightening.
Knight’s dismissal lbw off Ecclestone at 185 in the 38th over brought real pressure. Danielle Gibson was in next and simply took the attack apart. Her counterattacking 60 off just 47 balls, eight fours, two sixes, changed the course of the game. She was on strike the maximum time she spent in the middle as she walked back with 229 on board, falling to Ecclestone in the 43rd over.
Somerset needed just 31 from the last few overs with four wickets remaining. Charlie Dean (21* off 25) and keeper Jess Hazell (21* off 16) guided the team over the line. Sophie Ecclestone (3/48) was the only standout performer for Lancashire, while Mahika Gaur (1/20 off 6) was also effective. Kate Cross and Darcey Carter also bagged a wicket each for the team.
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