Essex Women return to midweek action when they host Hampshire Women at the Ambassador Cruise Line Ground on Wednesday.
The Women's Metro Bank One Day Cup continues with the visit of Hampshire as Stephen Parry's group set their eyes on returning to winning ways following Saturday's loss to Durham Women in Chelmsford.
Essex fell to a 47-run defeat against Durham after slipping to 27 for three in the powerplay.
Chasing 292, Essex were rocked by teenage seamer Trudy Johnson, who removed Grace Scrivens, Jodi Grewcock and Sophia Smale to finish with three for 28.
Flo Miller steadied the innings with 56, while debutant Nancy Harman impressed with a rapid 72 from 60 balls after joining on loan from Hampshire, which earned her the Ambassador Cruise Line Player of the Match award. Ariana Dowse added 24 and Jo Gardner made 34, but regular wickets and a rising required rate left Essex short on 245.
Earlier, Durham looked set for 300 thanks to a century stand between former Essex all-rounder Mady Villiers (76) and captain Hollie Armitage (69).
Smale led the response with career-best Essex figures of four for 51 to spark a collapse of six wickets for 56, helping restrict Durham to 291 for nine, but Essex’s poor start with the bat proved decisive.
Stephen Parry has named a 14-player squad for the clash against Hampshire, which includes new overseas signing Anneke Bosch.
Loan signing Nancy Harman is unavailable to play against her parent club.
Abtaha Maqsood is unavailable due to suffering a hand fracture whilst on international duty with Scotland. Unfortunately, this has ruled Abtaha out of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup and an update on her return will be released in due course.
After sustaining a leg injury against Lancashire Thunder, Cordelia Griffith will undertake rehab and will be unavailable for the remainder of the season.
Everyone at Essex County Cricket Club wishes Cordelia and Abtaha the best in their recoveries.
Captain: Georgia Adams
Head Coach: Paul Prichard
2025 finish: Runners-up
2025 leading run-scorer: Maia Bouchier (539)
2025 leading wicket-taker: Freya Davies (19)
Winter moves: The retirement of Freya Davies and the departure to Warwickshire of Mary Taylor has meant a major depletion in the fast-bowling cache. Hannah Hardwick and Francesca Sweet both arrive after successful trials and are capable of bowling pace. The ever-reliable Charli Knott has been replaced as overseas by leg-spinning all-rounder Amanda-Jade Wellington – who has previously taken plenty of wickets at Utilita Bowl for Southern Vipers and Southern Brave.
The big question: Will the domestic players step up when the England stars are away? With Maia Bouchier, Lauren Bell, Linsey Smith and Freya Kemp, Hampshire look a seriously impressive side. Without them things could be tricky. Ella McCaughan was exceptional before injury curtailed her 2025. She, Abi Norgrove, Georgia Adams, Rhianna Southby and Naomi Dattani have runs in them – which they will need to ease the pressure on an unproven bowling attack.
Player to watch: Hampshire need a young bowler to step up. After a breakout 2025, Daisy Gibb is tracking in the right direction to be that player. The 20-year-old mainly gained admirers in the Vitality Blast but converting her skiddy swing into 50-over consistency feels a natural next step, and she could be a danger to top-order batters up and down the country.
Final thoughts: Hampshire followed in the footsteps of their Southern Vipers forebearers in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup last season. Throughout that time, they have always found a way to regenerate and continue their dominant 50-over legacy. After losing key Vipers players, they topped the group stage but lost in the final. This year will need another rebirth, however, a top-four finish will still be the target.
Hampshire squad: Georgia Adams, Maia Bouchier, Eliza Bristowe, Naomi Dattani, Hannah Hardwick, Nancy Harman, Ella McCaughan, Abi Norgrove, Rhianna Southby, Megan Sturge, Francesca Sweet, Poppy Tulloch, Bex Tyson, Amanda-Jade Wellington.
Essex posted a competitive 264 after recovering from an early wobble, with Jodi Grewcock producing a career-best 80 to anchor the innings. After the early losses of Grace Scrivens and Cordelia Griffith, Grewcock and Lissy Macleod rebuilt superbly with a 94-run partnership, while useful late contributions from Amara Carr (33), Sophia Smale and Kate Coppack helped Essex reach a strong total.
Defending 265, Essex made an early breakthrough when Esmae MacGregor dismissed Maia Bouchier, but Hampshire’s Ella McCaughan (90) and Abi Norgrove (85) took control with a decisive 147-run partnership. Essex were further hampered by losing Grewcock as a bowling option after she injured her hand.
Despite Hampshire appearing comfortable for much of the chase, Essex fought back impressively through their varied bowling attack, removing both set batters and taking the game deep into the final over. Freya Kemp’s quickfire 46 kept Hampshire on track, but Essex's persistence ensured a tense finish before Hampshire eventually secured victory by five wickets with two balls remaining.
While Essex fell just short, Grewcock’s outstanding all-round contribution and the team's resilience in pushing a strong Hampshire side to the brink provided plenty of positives from their opening Metro Bank One-Day Cup match.
Click here for the tournament preview.
Click here for our One Day Cup Spectator Guide.
If you are unable to attend any of the matchdays, the game will be available to watch via the Essex Cricket YouTube livestream. Alternatively, you can keep up to date with the game via our social media channels as we provide live updates.
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Daily highlights will be available after each day's play via the Club website and social media.
Tickets are available to purchase both online in advance or on the gate on matchday.
Unallocated tickets are available for just £10 with discounts available on family tickets. Purchase a Junior ticket and you can apply for a FREE Junior Membership Upgrade for the 2026 season! Junior Membership includes free entrance to all home Rothesay County Championship and Metro Bank One Day Cup matches.
Please note that the start time is 10:30am so gates will open to spectators at 9:30am.
To secure your seats for Wednesday, please click here or call 01245 254010.
