Hampshire Women v Essex Women | Essex Women v Somerset Women
Vitality Blast
The Utilita Bowl, Southampton | Ambassador Cruise Line Ground, Chelmsford
Friday 30 May 2025, 3:00pm | Sunday 01 June 2025, 12:00pm
As the Women’s team took a week’s rest following their agonising home loss to Surrey Women in the Metro Bank One Day Cup, attention now shifts from one white-ball competition to another.
In its inaugural year for the Women, the Vitality T20 Blast is seeking its first champion in 2025, and Andy Tennant’s squad will have their eyes firmly set on that prize.
Australian all-rounder Maddie Penna has signed for the Eagles as an overseas player and will provide the side with middle-order firepower, as well as a bowling option with her right-arm leg spin.
Just like the Men, a clash with Hampshire in Southampton kicks things off on Friday night, before Essex host Somerset at the Ambassador Cruise Line Ground on Sunday afternoon.
The Inside Line: Maddie Penna
Squad
Head Coach Andy Tennant has named a 15-player squad for the trip south to Hampshire, which includes loanee Lauren Winfield-Hill and overseas signing Maddie Penna.
The Opposition: Hampshire Hawks
Captain: Georgia Adams
Overseas Players: Charli Knott (Australia, full competition), Ellyse Perry (Australia, last six matches + Finals Day if Hawks qualify)
Key Moves: The Vipers to Hawks transition saw more outgoings than incomings – with the likes of Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Georgia Elwiss, Emily Windsor, Alice Monaghan and Charlie Dean all departing. With younger players given more chances and responsibility. But one new face looms large – the Australian great Ellyse Perry.
The Big Question: Will Ellyse Perry get Hawks over the line when she arrives? There is huge excitement about Perry’s signing but her introduction at Chesterfield on July 4, with six matches to go, may well be perfectly timed to get them to Finals Day, but equally Hampshire could be only playing for pride.
Wildcard Watch: Mary Taylor. The fast bowler missed the start of the season with a finger injury but her return in the Vitality County Cup saw her take a four for 26 in an innings none of her team-mates went at under 10s and Surrey smashed 237. A bustling and uber-accurate presence with the ball, Taylor is also more than capable of bunting late-innings runs.
Final Thought The likes of Ella McCaughan, Rhianna Southby, and Bex Tyson massively stepped up in the first Metro Bank One-Day Cup block to fill the experience void, and send Hampshire top of the 50-over table. A replication of that, and Maia Bouchier shaking off her Ashes disappointments, put Hawks in a good position to continue the proud record of women’s cricket at Utilita Bowl. Paul Prichard and co. have seamlessly made sure there has been no disruption since Charlotte Edwards’ exit.
The Opposition: Somerset
Captain: Sophie Luff
Overseas Players: Amanda-Jade Wellington (Australia, full competition)
Key Moves: Seam bowlers Laura Jackson and Ellie Anderson have been recruited to provide a cutting edge with the new ball, while England international spinning all-rounder Charlie Dean was brought in to add star quality. Perhaps more significantly, the services of Australian leg spinner Amanda-Jade Wellington, a proven match-winner at this level, were secured for a second season.
The Big Question: Although competitive for the most part in their previous guise as Western Storm, a relatively inexperienced side tended to come up just short in close matches. Can this revamped Somerset squad improve on that record and demonstrate the knowhow needed to challenge for the latter stages?
Wildcard Watch: Alex Griffiths. Thrust into the role vacated by the injured Dani Gibson, the talented Welsh all-rounder is ready to realise her full potential. Adept at bowling seam up under pressure during the death overs, she now possesses the range of shots and confidence required to be an effective finisher with the bat.
Final Thought A series of shrewd signings and the availability of their international players has transformed erstwhile strugglers into more consistent performers in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup this season. Confidence and momentum gained from a series of impressive victories in the 50-over competition can now be harnessed to render Somerset competitive in the short format. As ever, much will depend on the form of overseas star Amanda-Jade Wellington and the availability of England pair Heather Knight and Charlie Dean.
Group Preview
Click here for a team-by-team preview of each of the group contenders.
How To Watch
If you are not accompanying the Eagles down the M3 to Southampton or in CM2 for the clash against Somerset, both matches will be live-streamed on the hosts’ YouTube channel and will be available to watch through the Essex Cricket Matchzone.
A report will be published on the Club website at the conclusion of the game, while live updates and highlights will be provided on the Essex Cricket social media channels.
Purchase your Essex vs Somerset Double Header tickets!
Come down to Chelmsford this summer to watch the Eagles live in our new T20 shirt.
Our first home Vitality Blast T20 fixture features a double header – Essex Women v Somerset Women (12pm) & Essex Men v Somerset Men (4pm).
Tickets are still available via our Ticket Site, so have a browse and get your Vitality Blast T20 tickets booked.
