Surrey topped the group table in the women’s T20 Blast. They did so following a dramatic five-wicket win over Essex at the Surrey Sports Park. Surrey’s bowlers put together a magnificent collective performance in the win. Tash Farrant and Grace Harris were the personal stars, each taking three wickets apiece. This win is crucial for Surrey, especially after a previous loss, as they aim to maintain momentum in the competition.
Essex found it difficult to bat themselves into a strong position, finishing with 144 runs—a total that was proved to be insufficient. Danni Wyatt-Hodge’s dismissal, well caught by mid-off after a mistimed slash at Aftaba Maqsood, was a disappointing first wicket for Essex. For Kira Chathli and Grace Harris, it was the beginning of a very valuable partnership. With 40 runs off just three overs, they injected some much-needed momentum into their innings.
Sterre Kalis’s strong production went a long ways on the Essex scoreboard. She hit one of the best straight sixes you will see as she raced to 35 off 21 balls. Retaining the momentum Natasha Wraith accelerated the score late on and was 38 not out off 24 balls at the end of the innings. No one works harder than the intense efforts of Surrey’s bowlers, which proved altogether too much for Essex to bear.
Esmee McGregor was the pick of the bowlers for Essex, with 3-33 at a crucial time in the game. She famously took two wickets in one over, dismissing Bryony Smith and then fellow England player Alice Capsey with back-to-back deliveries.
Surrey’s initial response to the target was aggressive. It could have turned out very differently had they not lost their openers Charli Knott and Maia Bouchier so early in their innings. Georgia Adams calmed the storm, taking her time and providing a welcome anchor with 32 off 31 balls. Rhianna Southby offered crucial assistance, contributing 46 runs in partnership with Adams.
Her return catches rounded off Surrey’s innings superbly, completing a brilliant impact on the match. Surrey weren’t bothered by the chase ultimately, knocking off the target with ease and showing their class and their fight.
Farrant was amazed at what the team had accomplished. We weren’t at our best on Wednesday against the Blaze, but these games come thick and fast, so it’s all about trying to get back to winning ways as quickly as possible.”
In other games, the Bears pulled off an incredible comeback win over Durham. Meg Austin electrified the victory with a blistering knock of 51 runs from 38 deliveries, peppering the nets with seven sweetly struck fours.
Somerset’s chances looked to be in trouble until a strong partnership of 58 runs between Bex Odgers and Niamh Holland for the second wicket secured the victory against Durham. Moments later, Suzi Bates couldn’t quite reach the half-century mark, tamely holing out to Mollie Robbins. This created intrigue among the onlooking crowd, as by this point Durham’s bowlers began to seal the game’s fate.
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