Vitality Blast Preview: Essex v Somerset
THE MATCH
Somerset take on Essex at the Ambassador Cruise Line Ground, Chelmsford in the Vitality Blast tomorrow (Tuesday July 7th).
The action is due to get underway at 6pm.
Tickets for this match are still available.
Somerset are currently fifth in the Vitality Blast table with 19 points from nine fixtures whilst Essex are sixth with 17Â points from the same number of matches.
HOW CAN I KEEP UP TO DATE?
You can keep up to date using the dedicated Match Centre on this website which will feature a live stream of the action courtesy of Essex CCC.
In-play updates will also appear on our X feed (formerly Twitter).
In addition to this, a report on the day’s play along with quotes will be posted on this website.
THE OPPOSITION
Captain: Grace Scrivens
Overseas players: None
2025 finish: 7th
2025Â leading run-scorer: Lauren Winfield-Hill (334)
2025Â leading wicket-taker: Esmae MacGregor (21)
Key winter moves: Batter Liberty Heap, signed from Lancashire, is yet to feature for Essex – and the bigger issue as arguably who they’ve lost, rather than gained, since the 2025 Blast campaign. Lauren Winfield-Hill, back at Yorkshire after last season’s loan spell, was Essex’s leading run-scorer with Australian all-rounder Maddie Penna, now lining up for Lancashire, a close second.
The big question: It’s not only how Essex replace Winfield-Hill and Penna, but how they go about putting runs on the board collectively. The team only posted two totals above 160 last year, one in a dead rubber against Durham, and the likes of Cordelia Griffith, Grace Scrivens and recent England ODI cap Jodi Grewcock need to find ways of improving that.
Wildcard watch: Flo Miller has begun the 50-over tournament in good form, hitting unbeaten half-centuries against Somerset and Surrey and her strike rate of almost 96 is the best among Essex’s recognised batters. The 22-year-old could really come into her own as a T20 finisher – provided the top order give her a solid foundations to work with.
Final thought: Essex may miss Abtaha Maqsood’s wicket-taking skills in the post-powerplay overs while the leg-spinner is on World Cup duty with Scotland, but they possess a good stock of seamers who can do some damage. Esmae MacGregor’s return of 21 wickets was the second-best in last year’s Blast while Eva Gray, Sophie Munro and Kate Coppack should all help to make Essex more competitive, as long as they have something substantial to bowl at.
TEAM NEWS
Somerset will be without Heather Knight, Charlie Dean, Dani Gibson (international duty). Whilst Emma Corney (knee) and Mollie Robbins (unavailable) will also miss the game.
Chloe Skelton returns to the squad following the completion of the England ‘A’ ODI series against India.
A starting XI will be named from the squad below:
VIEWS FROM THE DRESSING ROOM
Ahead of the match, Somerset Head Coach, Erin Osborne said: “It was disappointing result-wise in Yorkshire, but we took a lot of positives from that. I think we gave it a good crack chasing down the 210 runs. We’ve got a lot of players in form with the bat and Ani was exceptional. Bex Odgers played a really handy role too. I still think we go to Essex with lots of confidence and hopefully we can get back to winning ways.
“I think it’s must win now for us. We’re not naive to that fact, but it’s also just understanding that we’re going to continue to commit to the way we want to play. We’ll know that there’ll be games where we get it completely wrong and there’ll be games where we get it right. I think as long as we play the way we want to, then as a coach, I’ll be really happy with that.
“Essex are a quality team and they’ve got some really good players with some international experience. We know we’re going to have to play our best cricket to get the win, but it’s something that we’re looking forward to.”
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
If you are planning to attend the match, all the information you need can be found on the official Essex CCC Website.
NEXT MATCH
Somerset are next in action in the Vitality Blast when we take on The Blaze at Trent Bridge on Friday (July 10th).
Tickets for this match, which is part of a double header, are still available
