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Match Preview: Essex v Hampshire Hawks Women, Vitality Blast
Match Preview: Essex v Hampshire Hawks Women, Vitality Blast
Hawks Women head to Chelmsford to face Essex as they look to get back to winning ways
Essex vs Hampshire Hawks Women
Vitality Blast
Thursday, 12th June (2:30pm start)
Ambassador Cruise Line Ground, Chelmsford
Hampshire Hawks Women are back in action against Essex in Chelmsford following their narrow loss by one run (DLS method) to Durham at Arundel Castle on Saturday afternoon.
Hawks Women started the season strongly under new coach Paul Prichard with consecutive wins over Essex and Lancashire but have fallen to back-to-back defeats to Surrey and Durham.
Essex currently sit one place ahead of the Hawks in fourth, also with two wins and two defeats, but with a marginally better net run rate of 0.05 compared to the Hawks’ 0.04.
They were comprehensively beaten by the Hawks in the opening match at Utilita Bowl, but have garnered wins against Bears and Somerset, although they were defeated by seven wickets at the hands of The Blaze in their latest fixture last Friday.
Hampshire Squad
Hampshire Hawks have named a 14-player squad to take on Essex at Chelmsford.
Nancy Harman is removed from an otherwise unchanged squad.
Full Hampshire Hawks squad
Georgia Adams Captain (1)
Ava Lee (33)
Maia Bouchier (14)
Ella McCaughan (8)
Naomi Dattani (10)
Abi Norgrove (12)
Freya Davies (61)
Rhianna Southby † (17)
Daisy Gibb (15)
Megan Sturge † (3)
Freya Kemp (6)
Mary Taylor (9)
Charli Knott (88)
Bex Tyson (35)
Essex
Captain: Grace Scrivens
Overseas players: Maddie Penna (Australia, full competition)
Key winter moves: Seasoned opener and wicketkeeper Lauren Winfield-Hill has moved to Chelmsford on a loan deal from Yorkshire for the duration of the Blast. The arrival of Penna – part of the Adelaide Strikers squad that won successive Women’s Big Bash League titles – will strengthen Essex’s options in the middle-order batting and leg-spin departments.
The big question: How do Essex reshuffle their bowling attack to compensate for Sophie Munro’s absence? The seamer caught the eye during Sunrisers’ T20 campaign last year, finishing as their leading wicket-taker, but is currently out with a back injury. Despite their potent spin line-up, Essex will need alternatives to fill Munro’s role at the back end of the innings.
Wildcard watch: Esmae MacGregor. The 20-year-old can vary her pace and bowled well in the powerplay overs during Essex’s recent T20 County Cup defeat to Yorkshire. Although she featured more prominently in 50-over cricket last season, Munro’s injury could mean that MacGregor finds herself shouldering greater responsibility in the shorter format over the coming weeks.
Final thought: Essex should be capable of posting challenging totals in this tournament. As well as Winfield-Hill and Grace Scrivens at the top of the order, they can expect runs from the likes of Cordelia Griffith, Jodi Grewcock and Sophia Smale – while Jo Gardner, who begins the Blast in impressive form with the bat, could take on the finisher’s role. But they will also need to develop a ruthless streak that has so far been lacking in their 50-over campaign.
Tickets
Tickets for Hampshire Hawks Women’s Vitality Blast match against Essex are available here.
Coverage
The match will be televised on Sky Sports + and will NOT be live streamed. A live match centre with the scorecard, statistics and insight available throughout the match.
