Hampshire Women put in an impressive all-round performance to beat Essex Women by 55 runs in Match 23 of the Women’s T20 Blast 2026 at the County Ground in Chelmsford.
A superb innings from Maia Bouchier and a brilliant five-wicket spell from Amanda-Jade Wellington helped Hampshire claim an important win and continue their positive run in the competition.
After being asked to bat first, Hampshire posted 155 for 4 from their 20 overs. Essex struggled during the chase and finished on 100 for 9.
Hampshire lost Ella McCaughan early for 6, but Maia Bouchier and captain Georgia Adams settled the innings. The pair added valuable runs before Adams was dismissed for 18.
Bouchier then took charge of the innings with a confident knock. She scored 87 from just 55 balls, striking eight fours and two sixes. She kept the scoreboard moving throughout and made sure Hampshire stayed in control.
Francesca Sweet also made an important contribution, scoring 35 from 30 deliveries. Her partnership with Bouchier helped Hampshire build a strong total. Although Essex picked up a couple of wickets towards the end, Hampshire still finished with a challenging score.
For Essex, captain Grace Scrivens was the most successful bowler with 2 wickets, while Sophie Munro and Sophia Smale took one wicket each.
Chasing 156, Essex needed a good start but lost wickets at regular intervals. Grace Scrivens was dismissed for 8, while Alice Macleod made 13 before becoming one of Georgia Adams’ three victims.
Jodi Grewcock tried to keep Essex in the game with a fighting 30 from 34 balls. Joanne Gardner added 16, but Hampshire’s bowlers never allowed the batters to settle.
The game changed completely when Amanda-Jade Wellington came into the attack. The leg-spinner produced a match-winning spell, taking five wickets for just 18 runs in her four overs. She removed several key batters and left Essex with little chance of making a comeback.
Essex slipped from 70 for 3 to 82 for 9 as wickets continued to fall. Georgia Adams also impressed with figures of 3 for 18, while Bex Tyson chipped in with one wicket.
Kate Coppack remained unbeaten on 7 and Amara Carr finished not out on 12, but Essex were unable to get close to the target.
Bouchier’s excellent 87 laid the foundation for Hampshire’s victory, while Wellington’s outstanding bowling sealed the result.
The win moved Hampshire Women to sixth place in the points table with 13 points from five matches. Essex Women remained fifth with 13 points from six games after suffering their third defeat of the season.
Hampshire will hope to carry this momentum into their upcoming matches, while Essex will look to bounce back quickly and return to winning ways.
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