As the inaugural Women’s T20 Blast 2025 gathers momentum, all eyes turn to Chelmsford for Match 7, where Essex Women prepare to host Somerset Women in what promises to be a high-octane T20 showdown. This fixture marks Essex’s first home game in the tournament and is part of a thrilling double header alongside the men’s teams, ensuring a packed day of top-tier cricket at the County Ground.
Essex come into this match eager to bounce back after a tough opening defeat against Hampshire, despite a valiant batting effort from Lauren Winfield-Hill and a late cameo from overseas star Maddie Penna. With Grace Scrivens leading a talented but relatively inexperienced side, the Eagles will look to their potent spin attack and middle-order firepower to overcome Somerset.
Somerset Women and Essex Women both are coming into this match after losing their opening encounters respectively and are hungry to make their mark in the T20 Blast, setting the stage for a compelling encounter under the Sunday sun.
Squads:
Essex Women’s Cricket Team
Alice Macleod, Cordelia Griffith, Florence Miller, Joanne Gardner, Maddie Blinkhorn-Jones, Eva Gray, Grace Scrivens, Jodi Grewcock, Amara Carr, Ariana Dowse, Abtaha Maqsood, Esmae MacGregor, Kate Coppack, Kelly Castle, Sophia Smale, Sophie Munro, Lauren Winfield-Hill, Madeline Penna, Maddie Blinkhorn-Jones
Somerset Women’s Cricket Team
Emma Corney, Fran Wilson, Heather Knight, Jess Hazell, Rebecca Odgers, Sophie Luff, Amanda-Jade Wellington, Danielle Gibson, Erin Vukusic, Lola Harris, Niamh Holland, Olivia Barnes, Amelie Munday, Katie Jones, Alex Griffiths, Charlie Dean, Chloe Skelton, Ellie Anderson, Laura Jackson, Mollie Robbins
Players to watch out:
Joanne Gardner
Joanne Gardner is a useful all-rounder in T20 cricket, capable of contributing with both bat and ball. In her previous couple of T20 outings, she has added 80 runs at an average of 40 and the highest score of 64. With the ball, she bagged a wicket and is more than capable to chip in with important overs when needed. Essex Women will want her to continue her reign with the bat in the tournament.
Lauren Winfield-Hill
Lauren Winfield-Hill is an experienced English wicketkeeper-batter, known for her aggressive style and versatility in the top order. In T20 Internationals, she has played 44 matches, scoring 596 runs at an average of 20.55 and a strike rate of 107.97, including three half-centuries and the highest score of 74. In the last game against Hampshire, Lauren was the standout batter for Essex, scoring 69, in a chase of 215. She is one of the key batters Essex Women.
Rebecca Odgers
Rebecca Odgers has played 23 T20 matches, had scored 308 runs at an average of 16.21, with a top score of 47. She also has taken 9 wickets in 11 bowling innings at an average of 15.11 and an economy rate of 4.37. Notably, she scored 39 off 18 balls against Durham Women in May 2025 and 27 off 20 against Surrey Women at the end of May 2025. She is one of the key openers for Somerset Women as they approach this tournament ahead.
Chloe Skelton
Chloe is a key batting all-rounder for the Somerset Women. She has played 46 WT20 matches, scoring 511 runs and has been a consistent performer. She can also contribute with the ball whenever required, picking up 15 wickets and proving to be an all-rounder contributing with bat and ball both for any side she plays. Somerset Women would want her to build on this form.
Pitch:
The pitch at County Ground, Chelmsford is balanced and sporting, offering something for both batters and bowlers. The average first-innings score here is around 200 in recent matches, with a good surface for stroke play but also there will also be assistance for both pacers and spinners to exploit, making it a fair contest between bat and ball.
Weather:
Expect pleasant conditions with the forecast reading a maximum daytime temperature around 22°C, with sunny skies and a gentle breeze. There is no significant rain expected during match time, making for good cricket conditions.
Fantasy Playing XI:
Eva Gray, Grace Scrivens, Jodi Grewcock, Florence Miller, Abtaha Maqsood, Sophia Smale, Sophie Luff, Amanda-Jade Wellington, Chloe Skelton, Ellie Anderson, Joanne Gardner
Match details:
Date – June 1, 2025
Time – 4:30 PM IST
Venue – County Ground, Chelmsford
Broadcast – The game will be live-streamed on the FanCode app and website.
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