The standings in the ECB Women’s One Day Cup 2026 tell a starkly different story for these two sides as they head into this clash at Chelmsford. The Blaze currently sits comfortably in the middle of the pack, occupying 7th place with a win and a loss under their belt. Meanwhile, Essex finds themselves rooted to the bottom of the table in 9th position. It’s been a tough start for the hosts, who are still searching for their first points of the campaign after three consecutive defeats, leaving them desperate to break the duck on home soil.
Squads:
Essex Women’s Cricket Team
Alice Macleod, Cordelia Griffith, Florence Miller, Joanne Gardner, Maddie Blinkhorn-Jones, Eva Gray, Grace Scrivens, Jodi Grewcock, Amara Carr, Ariana Dowse, Abtaha Maqsood, Esmae MacGregor, Kate Coppack, Kelly Castle, Sophia Smale, Sophie Munro, Madeline Penna, Maddie Blinkhorn-Jones
The Blaze Women’s Cricket Team
Ella Claridge, Georgie Boyce, Maddy Green, Marie Kelly, Michaela Kirk, Prisha Thanawala, Tammy Beaumont, Georgia Elwiss, Heather Graham, Kathryn Bryce, Natalie Sciver-Brunt, Orla Prendergast, Amy Jones, Sarah Bryce, Scarlett Hughes, Amy Wheeler, Cassidy McCarthy, Charley Phillips, Grace Ballinger, Josie Groves, Kirstie Gordon, Lucy Higham, Olivia Baker, Sarah Glenn
Players to watch out:
Jodi Grewcock
Jodi has been a consistent presence for Essex this season, featuring in two matches and finding her rhythm quickly. She has accumulated 157 runs at an impressive average of 78.50, including two vital half-centuries. Her highest score of 80 shows she can anchor an innings, and with a strike rate of 94.57, she’s doing a great job of keeping the scoreboard moving without taking unnecessary risks.
Marie Kelly
Marie has provided a solid foundation at the top for The Blaze, reaching exactly 100 runs across her two innings so far. She is currently averaging 50.00 and has one half-century to her name, with the best of 56. While her strike rate sits at 72.99, her ability to occupy the crease and face over 130 balls has been crucial for her team’s stability in the early stages of the tournament.
Eva Gray
Eva has been a reliable operator for Essex, contributing across three matches with both bat and ball. She’s proven to be a tough wicket to take, holding a bowling average of 46.33 after picking up 3 wickets, including a best of 1/33. Her economy rate of 5.56 shows she’s keeping things relatively tight, and she has already put in over 25 overs of work for her side.
Kirstie Gordon
Kirstie remains a key tactical weapon for The Blaze, utilizing her experience to keep the pressure on opposing batters. In her two appearances, she has claimed 4 wickets at an average of 19.75, with a very tidy economy rate of 4.64. Her best figures of 2/39 highlight her ability to break partnerships, consistently challenging the middle order with her flight and control.
Pitch:
The pitch tends to offer significant seam movement and carry early on, rewarding disciplined pace bowling. However, once the initial shine wears off, it can become a very productive surface for batters who play late and straight. In recent years, it has also gained a reputation for taking spin as the match progresses, making the later days quite a challenge.
Weather:
Expected to be sunny with a high of 19°C. It will be a pleasant day for cricket, though the morning air might still bite enough to help the swing bowlers.
Fantasy Playing XI:
Eva Gray, Jodi Grewcock, Abtaha Maqsood, Esmae MacGregor, Marie Kelly, Orla Prendergast, Amy Jones, Sarah Bryce, Grace Ballinger, Kirstie Gordon, Sarah Glenn
Match Details:
Date – April 25, 2026
Time – 3:00 PM IST
Venue – County Ground, Chelmsford
Broadcast – The ECB app, website, and YouTube channels.
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