Match 22 brings us a clash between two teams at opposite ends of the spectrum in this year’s competition. With 15 points at the top of the points table and an undefeated record after four games, Hampshire Women have been the team to beat. Lancashire Women, who have only won once thus far, are languishing near the bottom in eighth position. Lancashire is keen to halt the bleeding with just 5 points under their belt, but taking on the league leaders is as difficult as it gets.
With the likes of Abigail Norgrove playing some of the most disciplined cricket in the division, Hampshire’s success has been based on an extraordinarily strong foundation. Because of her incredible 195.00 average and ability to stay at the crease, she is a nightmare for opposition captains. It’s obvious why they are in first place when you combine that stability with Bex Tyson’s ability to take wickets. They rarely give up cheap runs or easy wickets, making their style of cricket difficult to analyze.
Sophie Ecclestone is Lancashire’s “X-factor” who has the potential to make all the difference. Her influence is enormous despite the fact that she hasn’t played every game; she has already claimed five wickets at an average of only 11.20, and her economy rate is so low that she essentially shuts down one end of the field. Lancashire may be able to pull off an upset if Eve Jones can hit the boundary more often at the top of the order, giving the bowlers a respectable total to work with. A single world-class spell from someone like Ecclestone can change the course of a one-day match, but they will need to be flawless to defeat the Hampshire juggernaut.
Squads :
Hampshire Women
Abigale Norgrove, Daisy Mullan, Ella McCaughan, Georgia Adams, Maia Bouchier, Poppy Tulloch, Ava Lee, Charli Knott, Ellyse Perry, Freya Kemp, Mary Taylor, Naomi Dattani, Rhianna Southby, Bex Tyson, Daisy Gibb, Freya Davies, Lauren Bell, Linsey Smith, Megan Sturge, Nancy Harman, Rebecca Tyson
Lancashire Women
Danielle Collins, Emma Lamb, Eve Jones, Katie Mack, Liberty Heap, Darcey Carter, Kate Cross, Sophie Ecclestone, Mahika Gaur, Grace Potts, Fi Morris, Eleanor Threlkeld, Seren Smale, Grace Johnson, Alisa Lister, Alana King, Hannah Jones, Olivia Bell, Phoebe Graham, Sophie Morris, Tara Norris
Players to watch out for :
Abigail Norgrove
Norgrove, who is playing for Hampshire, has recorded some of the most unusual stats of the competition, going undefeated in two of her three innings. With a top score of 85, she was able to reach a total of 195 runs, which amounted to an incredible average of 195.00. She plays calmly, avoiding needless chances in favor of building an innings over 240 balls faced
Eve Jones
With 139 runs in her four trips to the crease, Eve Jones has been a dependable presence for Lancashire. She has found the fence 16 times so far, and her season-best score of 82 demonstrated her ability to control an innings. Her role as a stabilizer in the top order is still crucial to her team’s success, even though she plans to raise her average of 34.75
Bex Tyson
In her four games as a bowler for Hampshire, Tyson has been a workhorse, dismissing 34 overs and taking seven wickets. With top figures of 3/60, she has remained consistent despite the difficulties of the 50-over format. Even though her economy rate of 5.44 is a little higher than she would prefer, her team has benefited much from her ability to dissolve alliances at critical times
Sophie Ecclestone
Even though Ecclestone has only played in two Lancashire games this season, her influence has been evident right away. She has now taken five wickets at an amazing average of 11.20, demonstrating why hitters all over the circuit dread her. Teams are unable to avoid her while she searches for her next big break thanks to her frugal economy rate of 3.11
Pitch: Known for its pace and bounce, Old Trafford often favors batters once they settle, though the James Anderson End can offer zip for fast bowlers. With cloud cover expected throughout the day, expect some lateral movement, though it remains one of the better batting tracks in the country when dry
Weather Report:
The day will be mostly cloudy with a high of 18°C and a 20% chance of rain. Heavier rain is expected overnight (70% chance)
Fantasy XI :
Abigale Norgrove, Ella McCaughan, Maia Bouchier, Bex Tyson, Lauren Bell, Linsey Smith, Emma Lamb, Eve Jones, Katie Mack, Sophie Ecclestone, Seren Smale
Match Details :
Date: 2nd May, 2026
Time : 3 PM
Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester, England
Broadcast: The game will be live-streamed on the FanCode app and website
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