Under gloomy skies at Taunton in the 3rd Match of the Women’s T20 Blast 2026, the contest between Somerset Women and Hampshire Women turned into one of the most dramatic finishes. Neither side managed to pull away decisively as momentum swung repeatedly across the 40 overs, eventually ending in a thrilling tie at 159 apiece. The match had everything cricket fans look for in a Women’s T20 Blast clash, explosive powerplay batting, vital middle-order partnerships, impactful bowling spells, and late-innings drama that kept the spectators engaged until the final delivery.
Somerset Women began positively after being put into bat, with Rebecca Odgers immediately setting the tone through aggressive strokeplay. Despite the early wicket of skipper Sophie Luff, who made 5 from 4 balls before Bex Tyson struck in the second over, Somerset never allowed Hampshire to fully dictate terms. Odgers counterattacked beautifully and stitched together an important rebuilding stand with Anika Learoyd. Their partnership became the backbone of the innings as both batters rotated strike efficiently while capitalising on loose deliveries. Odgers played one of the finest knocks of the evening, smashing 57 from just 38 deliveries, including eight boundaries and a six at a strike rate of 150. Her innings carried Somerset through the middle overs and ensured the run rate remained healthy even when Hampshire’s bowlers attempted to apply pressure.
Anika Learoyd complemented Odgers perfectly with a composed yet fluent unbeaten 61 from 49 balls. While Odgers attacked square of the wicket, Learoyd focused on placement and timing, finding gaps consistently throughout her innings. Their stand carried Somerset from early uncertainty into a position of dominance. Hampshire eventually broke through when Georgia Adams removed Odgers at 101/2 in the 12.2 over, but Somerset continued to press ahead. Niamh Holland then joined Learoyd and added another valuable partnership, contributing 14 off 15 balls. The pair pushed the innings deeper before Adams struck again, dismissing Holland at 129/3 in the 16.3 over.
Alex Griffiths added momentum during the death overs with a brisk 12 from 9 balls, while Learoyd remained calm amid the chaos at the other end. The final overs saw wickets tumble rapidly, including Chloe Skelton’s run out and Katie Jones being bowled by Daisy Gibb on the last ball of the innings. Still, Somerset managed to post a competitive 159/6 from their 20 overs, largely due to the stability created by the Odgers-Learoyd partnership and the finishing composure from Learoyd. Hampshire’s bowling effort was led superbly by Georgia Adams, who delivered a disciplined spell of 3/24 from four overs and controlled the middle phase brilliantly. Bex Tyson also impressed with 1/20 from four overs, while Daisy Gibb chipped in with a wicket despite conceding 37 runs. Naomi Dattani and Poppy Tulloch provided support but struggled to completely contain Somerset’s scoring rate during the crucial middle overs.
Chasing 160, Hampshire Women responded with equally aggressive intent. Ella McCaughan launched the innings with confidence and quickly transferred pressure back onto Somerset’s bowlers. Alongside captain Georgia Adams, she built a commanding opening partnership worth 87 runs that threatened to take the game away from Somerset. McCaughan was particularly dominant through the off side, striking nine boundaries during her sparkling 69 off 46 deliveries at a strike rate of 150. Georgia Adams anchored the partnership smartly with 36 from 30 balls, allowing McCaughan the freedom to attack. Somerset finally found the breakthrough when Lola Harris dismissed Adams at 87/1 in the 10.2 over.
Even after losing the skipper, Hampshire maintained control as McCaughan and Naomi Dattani extended the momentum with another important stand. However, the match turned dramatically once Niamh Holland entered the attack. Holland produced a sensational spell that completely altered the chase. She first removed McCaughan for 69 at 112/2 in the 13.5 over, ending Hampshire’s most dangerous innings. Just over two overs later, Holland struck twice in the same over, dismissing Naomi Dattani for 13 and Francesca Sweet for a duck to suddenly reduce Hampshire to 130/4. Amanda-Jade Wellington attempted to stabilise the innings with 14 from 12 balls, but Holland continued her dream spell by removing her as well in the 19th over.
The match then headed toward a nerve-wracking finish. Hampshire still needed quick runs, and Abi Norgrove, alongside wicketkeeper Rhianna Southby, managed to hold their nerve brilliantly under pressure. Southby’s unbeaten 17 from only 7 deliveries, featuring three boundaries at a strike rate above 240, brought Hampshire level with Somerset’s total. However, Somerset’s bowlers prevented the winning run, resulting in a dramatic tie at 159/5 after 20 overs. Niamh Holland deservedly earned Player of the Match honours for her exceptional all-round contribution of 14 runs and remarkable bowling figures of 4/21 from four overs. Lola Harris also contributed with a wicket, while Olivia Barnes, Chloe Skelton, Jasmine Westley, and Alex Griffiths worked hard despite Hampshire’s strong batting display.
Loves all things female cricket