July 16 brought another gripping day of action in the 2025 Women’s T20 Blast. In the opening clash, Lancashire Women clinched a hard-fought 4-wicket victory over Essex Women, showcasing depth in their lineup and nerves of steel in the chase. However, the second fixture between The Blaze Women and Somerset Women was marred by rain. After The Blaze completed their innings, persistent showers forced the match to be called off, resulting in no outcome.
Despite the mixed fortunes, the points table paints the picture of the season so far. Lancashire Women, bolstered by their latest win, now sit fourth with 29 points, keeping their playoff hopes alive. Essex, struggling for form, remain in the lower half of the table with just 15 points. The Blaze, consistent throughout the tournament, hold strong at second place with 38 points. Somerset Women, yet to find momentum this season, remain rooted at the bottom with only 8 points to their name.
Match 51: Lancashire Women vs Essex Women
Lancashire Women overcame early jitters to secure a well-earned 4-wicket victory over Essex Women in a low-scoring but tightly contested affair. Batting first, Essex Women endured a disastrous start, losing both their openers Lauren Winfield-Hill and captain Grace Scrivens for ducks within the opening overs. The early double blow rattled their top order, and it was left to the middle order to repair the damage. Cordelia Griffith tried to initiate a counterattack with a brisk 15 off 12 deliveries, but her innings was short-lived.
Madeline Penna and Alice Macleod took on the rebuilding role, adding a vital partnership to prevent a complete collapse. Penna, showing her class and patience, played a steady knock of 22 off 27 balls, while Macleod brought some urgency to the scoreboard with a handy 23 off 19. Sophia Smale chipped in with an unbeaten 10, but the rest of the batting lineup failed to offer resistance, with the lower order collapsing for single-digit scores. Eventually, Essex limped to 107 all out, a total that looked below par on a surface offering some assistance to the bowlers.
Lancashire’s bowling attack was sharp, disciplined, and relentless. Mahika Gaur led the charge with a brilliant spell, taking 3 wickets for 22 runs. Tara Norris provided excellent support with 2 for 22 in just 3 overs, while Alana King proved instrumental in the middle overs with her leg-spin, finishing with figures of 2 for 17 from 4 overs.
In response, Lancashire’s chase began on a cautious note, but opener Eve Jones anchored the innings with maturity and confidence. Her well-crafted 59 off 58 deliveries formed the backbone of the chase, as she timed her innings. Despite a sudden mini collapse in the middle, losing Seren Smale for 5, Tilly Kesteven for 9, and Ailsa Lister for just 1, Jones ensured Lancashire stayed ahead in the game.
Captain Eleanor Threlkeld then steadied the ship with a composed 20 off 24 balls, adding crucial runs in the dying stages of the chase. Alana King once again made her presence felt, contributing a calm unbeaten 7 at last as Lancashire reached the target in 19.5 overs, finishing at 108 for 6. Despite defending a modest total, Essex bowlers fought valiantly. Madeline Penna returned with the ball to deliver an impressive spell of 2 for 11 in her 2 overs, while Sophia Smale picked up 1 for 15 in 2.5 overs. However, the lack of scoreboard pressure proved costly.
With this win, Lancashire climbed to fourth place on the points table with 29 points, strengthening their push for a top four finish. Essex, meanwhile, continue to struggle and now sit second from the bottom with just 15 points, with their hopes of a turnaround quickly fading as the tournament progresses.
Match 52: Somerset Women vs The Blaze Women
In what promised to be a riveting contest, The Blaze posted a competitive total of 138 in their allotted overs against Somerset Women. However, rain ultimately had the final say, washing out the second innings and forcing the match to end with no result.
Batting first, The Blaze endured a shaky start, losing skipper Marie Kelly early for just 4 runs. The top and middle-order tried to stabilize the innings, with Georgia Elwiss anchoring the effort with a steady 35 off 34 balls, providing much-needed resistance. Kathryn Bryce chipped in with 14 off 13, while the usually dependable Heather Graham managed 12 from 13 deliveries. Ella Claridge mirrored that effort with 12 off 14, but The Blaze couldn’t quite find the momentum they were looking for in the middle overs.
However, it was Michaela Kirk who injected some numbers into the innings with a fiery cameo, smashing 24 off just 17 balls at a brisk strike rate of 141, she turned the tide briefly in The Blaze’s favour. While the lower order faltered, Josie Groves and Sarah Glenn both falling for ducks, a late flourish came courtesy of Lucy Higham. Her explosive knock of 22 from only 12 balls, boasting a strike rate of 183, ensured that The Blaze crossed the 130-run mark and finished on a competitive 138.
Somerset’s bowlers had a mixed outing, but they did manage to make crucial breakthroughs. Olivia Barnes starred with an impressive spell, taking 3 wickets for 12, while Chloe Skelton provided solid support with 3 wickets for 26. Erin Vukusic also made an impact, claiming 2 wickets for 28 runs in her 3-over spell.
Just as the stage was set for what could have been a gripping chase, the skies opened up. With rain pelting down and conditions worsening, the second innings was abandoned without a ball being bowled, leaving both sides to share points in a frustrating end to a promising fixture. While The Blaze walked away with a few positives and remain second on the table with 38 points, Somerset, who were eyeing a possible revival, stay anchored at the bottom with just 8 points.
