As the Abu Dhabi Women’s T20 Counties Super Cup 2025 nears its end, the final standings are taking shape. The championship match, third-place playoff, and fifth-place playoff are all set to take place, with the fifth-place playoff featuring a contest between Surrey Women and Essex Women on March 30th at 12:00 PM at the Tolerance Oval in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Surrey secured 2 points, but their inferior Net Run Rate (NRR) compared to Yorkshire, ECB and Tasmania relegated them to fifth place. Surrey’s campaign began with a disappointing 60-run loss to the Blaze, but they bounced back with a 29-run win against Essex.
Essex, meanwhile, sits at the bottom of the points table, having failed to win either of their matches, including an 18-run loss to ECB and a 29-run defeat to Surrey.
Squads:
Surrey –
Aylish Cranstone, Kira Chathli, Sophia Dunkley, Alice Davidson-Richards, Alice Monaghan, Emily Burke, Phoebe Franklin, Priyanaz Chatterji, Jemima Spence, Bethan Miles, Charlotte Lambert, Danielle Gregory, Genevieve Jeer, Isobel Sidhu, Kalea Moore, Tash Farrant, Tilly Corteen-Coleman
Essex –
Alice MacLeod, Cordelia Griffith, Flo Miller, Jo Gardner, Kate Coppack, Kelly Castle, Riva Pindoria, Amara Carr, Ariana Dowse, Abtaha Maqsood, Esmae McGregor, Eva Gray, Grace Melhuish, Madeleine Blinkhorn-Jones, Sophia Smale, Sophie Munro
Players to watch out:
Sophia Dunkley –
The 26-year-old top-order batter has an impressive T20I record, scoring 986 runs in 64 matches, with a highest of 61*. Her strong showing in the Charlotte Edwards Cup 2024, where she amassed 265 runs in 9 matches to finish as the third-highest scorer, has only solidified her reputation as a force to be reckoned with. Though she has had a quiet run in the league matches with scores of 6 and 29, Dunkley’s past performances suggest a big innings is just around the corner.
Tash Farrant –
The 28-year-old left-arm medium bowler has made a significant impact in T20I cricket. She has added 15 wickets to her name in 18 innings, with a best of 2/15. Farrant also had a notable performance in the Charlotte Edwards Cup 2024, where she picked up 9 wickets in 8 innings. If given the opportunity in this match, Farrant’s skill and ability could make her a valuable asset to the team.
Cordelia Griffith –
The 29-year-old top-order batter has experience in various competitions. In the Charlotte Edwards Cup 2024, she scored 33 runs in 5 matches, and in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy 2024, she accumulated 420 runs in 13 matches. Griffith has made a strong start to this tournament, scoring a quickfire 53 off just 36 balls in the first league match.
Jo Gardener –
The 28-year-old all-rounder has showcased her versatility across various competitions. In the Charlotte Edwards Cup 2024, she was the fourth-highest run-scorer, amassing 260 runs in 10 matches, with a top score of 79*. In this tournament, Gardner made an immediate impact in her only appearance, scoring a brisk 35 off 22 balls and delivering a tidy spell of 2 for 25 in 4 overs.
Pitch:
The center wicket at Tolerance Oval provides ample support for batters, making it a favorable surface with an average score in the 160s. However, both pacers and spinners will also have opportunities to make an impact and exploit the conditions to their advantage.
Weather:
The conditions are ideal for a game of cricket at Tolerance Oval, Abu Dhabi, with clear overhead and a minimal chance of rain. The temperature is expected to hover around 28°C, with light winds and humidity at 60%.
Fantasy Playing XI:
Jemima Spence, Sophia Dunkley, Cordelia Griffith, Flo Miller, Jo Gardner, Alice Davidson-Richards, Kelly Castle, Sophia Smale, Phoebe Franklin, Abtaha Maqsood, Tilly Corteen-Coleman
Match details:
Date – March 30, 2025
Time – 12:00 PM IST
Venue – Tolerance Oval, Abu Dhabi
Broadcast – In India, the game will be live streamed on FanCode.
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