The Abu Dhabi Women’s T20 Super Cup 2025 got underway in grand style with an edge-of-the-seat thriller that saw Tasmania edge past Yorkshire by four runs in the tournament opener at Tolerance Oval, Abu Dhabi. The ECB led by skipper Esha Oza were up against Essex led by skipper Eva Gray in the 2nd game of the tournament.
Skipper Esha Oza and Rinitha Rajith powers UAE to a strong 157/7
The ECB openers wicket-keeper batter Theertha Sathish and skipper Esha Oza got their side off to a flying start with a 60-run opening partnership after the Essex skipper Eva Gray won the toss and inserted them to bat first. The pair scored at around 8 runs an over, putting a lot of pressure on the opposition bowlers, right from the word go.
Kelly Castle broke the stand by sending the wicket-keeper batter Theertha Sathish (33 off 28 balls) back to the pavilion, providing the first breakthrough for Essex in the 8th over of the innings.
Rinitha Rajith joined skipper Esha Oza at the crease and the duo took their side closer to the 100-run mark with another crucial 38-run partnership for the 2nd wicket. Sophie Munro got the big wicket of their opposition skipper Esha Oza (45 off 28 balls), denting the momentum in the 11th over of the innings, providing the 2nd breakthrough for her side.
After the departure of their skipper Esha Oza, they just managed to add 59 runs in their remaining 10 odd overs, with a scoring rate dipping under 6 runs an over. ECB finished their innings on 157/7 in their quota of 20 overs. Rinitha Rajith (36 off 23 balls) chipped in with a handy cameo with the bat for her side.
Kate Coppack (4-0-13-1) was the stand-out performer with the ball for Essex, while Abtaha Maqsood (4-0-37-2) and skipper Eva Gray (4-0-30-0) played their part with the ball for their side.
Fifties from Flo Miller and Cordelia Griffith in vain as ECB clinch a notable win
Chasing a decent total of 158, Essex lost both their openers inside the first three overs of the run chase. Flo Miller joined Cordelia Griffith at the crease and the duo revived the run chase with a massive 95-run partnership for the 2nd wicket to take their side past the 100-run mark.
Skipper Esha Oza ended a spirited stand by removing Cordelia Griffith (53 off 36 balls) in the 15th over of the innings to provide the much-needed 3rd breakthrough for her side. She completed her brisk half-century before getting dismissed.
The run chase eventually derailed for Essex as they were restricted to 139/8 in their quota of 20 overs, as a result, falling 18 runs short of the target. Flo Miller (57 off 47 balls) was the other lone warrior who kept the run chase alive for their side.
Indhuja Nandakumar (4-0-18-2), Heena Hotchandani (3-0-22-2), Michelle Botha (4-0-25-1), and skipper Esha Oza (4-0-31-1) were the star performers with the ball for ECB.
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