Essex Women return to action tomorrow as they travel to face Durham Women in round two of the Women's Metro Bank One Day Cup.
Stephen Parry's side head to the North East looking to bounce back after a narrow final-over defeat in their campaign opener against Hampshire at the weekend. Despite the result, there were plenty of positives to take, and the group will be determined to turn a strong performance into their first win of the season.
With the Women's first home fixture of 2026 at the Ambassador Cruise Line Ground coming up this Saturday, Parry's side will be eager to return with points on the board.
Stephen Parry has named a 14-player squad for their second match of the season.
Captain: Hollie Armitage
Head Coach: Dani Hazell
2025 finish: 6th
2025 leading run-scorer: Hollie Armitage (624)
2025 leading wicket-taker: Phoebe Turner (22)
Winter moves: Australian wicketkeeper-opener Tahlia Wilson has signed overseas terms for the first half of this competition. She is the only arrival ahead of 2026, with no departures. Wilson, 26, was part of the New South Wales side which reached last month’s WNCL final. She has also made her international debut inside the last fortnight, an ODI appearance in the West Indies. Emerging batter Harriet Robson has signed her maiden rookie professional contract.
The big question: Durham showed encouraging signs last summer, winning five of their 14 games, with one of those victories at home to eventual champions Lancashire in late July. They had a chance of semi-final qualification going into the final round of group games, only to lose to Surrey at the Banks Homes Riverside. With a year’s experience under their belts, can they kick on and mount a bigger challenge for the semi-finals?
Player to watch: All-rounder Phoebe Turner was the second leading wicket-taker in last season’s One Day Cup. Her 22 wickets actually made her the most prolific seamer, with only Warwickshire off-spinner Georgia Davis (23) bettering her haul. Turner, 22, has just signed a contract extension through until the end of 2027 and has England A experience under her belt. She was also part of England’s Performance Programme during the winter.
Final thoughts: Durham start at home to defending champions Lancashire on April 11, and there’s more northern rivalry this summer with Yorkshire having been elevated to Tier 1. A number of Durham’s squad were based at Headingley within the Northern Diamonds set-up in the old regional era, and some came through the White Rose system – captain Hollie Armitage, for one. They meet for the first time at Scarborough on April 29.
Durham squad: Holly Armitage (C), Katherine Fraser, Abi Glen, Bess Heath, Katie Levick, Emma Marlow, Harriet Robson, Mia Rogers, Grace Thompson, Phoebe Turner, Sophia Turner, Mady Villiers, Tahlia Wilson (WK), Emily Winsdor
After showing early promise at Chelmsford, Essex Women suffered a six-wicket defeat to Durham in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup.
Sent in, Essex got off to a strong start with Lissy Macleod and skipper Grace Scrivens putting on 50 in 49 balls. However, Durham’s Grace Thompson broke the partnership, dismissing Macleod and Scrivens in quick succession. Sophia Smale and Ariana Dowse then steadied the innings, adding 51 for the fourth wicket, with Smale hitting a boundary off Mady Villiers and sweeping Susie Bates to the legside fence. At 120-3 halfway through, Essex seemed in control.
Disaster struck with a catastrophic runout in the 30th over, which triggered a collapse. Seven wickets fell for 53 runs, with Villiers taking 3-28 and fellow spinner Katy Levick claiming 2-28. Dowse remained unbeaten on 43, but the tail offered little resistance, leaving Essex all out for 173.
In reply, Durham made a dream start with early wickets from Eva Gray (1-16) and Esmae MacGregor, removing Suzie Bates and skipper Hollie Armitage. Despite a brief revival from Emma Marlow, comical runouts and tight bowling kept the visitors on top. Mady Villiers and Mia Rogers rebuilt with a 98-run partnership, Rogers finishing unbeaten on 66 and Villiers contributing 46. Their steady batting guided Durham to a comfortable six-wicket win with 70 balls to spare.
Click here to for the tournament preview.
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Tickets for the match are available to purchase on Durham's website by clicking here.
