Metro Bank One Day Cup Preview: Somerset v Essex
THE MATCH
Somerset Women take on Essex at Taunton Vale Sports Club in the Metro Bank One Day Cup tomorrow (Wednesday April 29th).
Play is scheduled to get underway at 10:30am.
Gates open at 9:30am.
Tickets for this match are still available and can be purchased via the link below.
Tickets cost just £10 for adults, £7 for students and £5 for juniors. There are also discounts available for group bookings.
Somerset are currently second in the Metro Bank One Day Cup table with 13 points from three matches whilst Essex are ninth with 0 points from four matches.
SCHEDULED HOURS OF PLAY
10:30am – 2pm: Innings one
2pm – 2:30pm: Interval
2:30pm – 6pm Innings two
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
This match is being held at Taunton Vale Sports Club, not the Cooper Associates County Ground.
Somerset Men’s Membership cards will not grant you access to the venue for this fixture.
Bag searches will be in operation and spectators are reminded that no glass or sharp implements will be permitted within the venue. Spectators may bring cans into the venue. Members and ticket holders may bring a maximum of four cans of alcohol or half a bottle of wine per person into the ground.
Ticket buyers can download their online tickets via their SCCC account.
HOW CAN I KEEP UP TO DATE?
A live stream of the match will be available via this website and on our YouTube channel. Viewers are reminded that this fixture is being held at an outground and therefore the streaming infrastructure is less advanced than we are able to provide for fixtures at the Cooper Associates County Ground.
Somerset County Cricket Club will be providing radio ear pieces to enable Members and supporters to enjoy our live ball-by-ball match commentary. These will be available to purchase from the entrance to Taunton Vale Sports Club at a cost of £12 and these will last all season.
You can also keep up to date via our social media channels.
In addition to this, a report on the day’s play along with quotes will be posted on this website.
THE OPPOSITION
Captain:Â Grace Scrivens
Head Coach:Â Stephen Parry
2025 finish:Â 8th
2025 highest run-scorer:Â Grace Scrivens (429)
2025 highest wicket-taker:Â Eva Gray (15)
Winter moves: Former Lancashire and England spinner Stephen Parry has taken over as head coach following Andy Tennant’s exit, with Nick Browne, who recently brought down the curtain on his 13-year stint as a top-order batter for Essex’s men, filling the role of batting coach. On the field, batter Liberty Heap completed her permanent move from Lancashire, while former Essex captain Kelly Castle was released along with Maddie Blinkhorn-Jones.
The big question: In a nutshell, can Browne’s input and experience coax more consistency with the bat from an Essex side who topped 250 just once in last year’s tournament? Grace Scrivens hit back-to-back hundreds at the top of the order, but Jodi Grewcock was the only other batter to pass 50 more than once and Essex must at least ensure they bat out their full allocation of overs more frequently.
Player to watch:Â The move to Chelmsford may turn out to be just what Liberty Heap needed to reignite her career. Having shown potential with the bat as an England Under-19 player a few years ago, the 22-year-old had stalled at Lancashire, but she made a promising start after joining Essex on loan at the back end of last season, hitting 33 from 37 balls against The Blaze.
Final thought: After finishing bottom of the table in their inaugural season, the only way is up for Essex. However, one of their two group successes was achieved against eventual champions Lancashire, suggesting there’s plenty of potential to do better under a revamped coaching set-up. Essex may also have to find ways of coping without the influential Scrivens if, and more likely when, she graduates to the England side.
TEAM NEWS
Somerset will be without Heather Knight, Charlie Dean, Dani Gibson (all unavailable), Emma Corney (knee) and Mollie Robbins (unavailable).
The following squad has been named for this fixture:
VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM
Ahead of the match, Head Coach, Erin Osborne said: “I think we’re building confidence and momentum as a group and playing the way we want to play, which is really nice and we’re looking forward to carrying on that against Essex tomorrow.
“Essex are capable of beating anyone on their day, so we’re going to have to play some really good cricket and stick to doing the things that we’re committed to doing really well. They’ll come out hard and we’re going to have to play good cricket to get another win.
“Taunton Vale is a great place to play cricket. They’ve done a fantastic job out there and hopefully we can get a decent crowd to come as well and create an atmosphere. We’re looking forward to playing there.
“There will be a few changes for the game with England players being unavailable. Everyone has trained really well this week and there are some players who have really been pushing for selection. I’m happy for them that they will get their opportunity and hopefully they do well tomorrow.”
NEXT MATCH
Somerset Women are next in action on Saturday May 2nd when we take on Warwickshire at Edgbaston in the Metro Bank One Day Cup.
Tickets for this match are still available.
