Live Coverage of the Vitality Blast Women’s T20 Competition on July 16th
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Cricket Betting Tips and Match Predictions: Vitality Blast Women 2025 – Matches 52 & 53 – Essex vs Lancashire; Somerset vs The Blaze – July 16th
Match 52: Essex Women vs Lancashire Women, Vitality Blast Women
Essex: 107 all out; Lancashire: 108-6, winning by four wickets
By Jon Batham, ECB Reporters’ Network, supported by Rothesay
In a thrilling low-scoring match, Lancashire secured a four-wicket victory over Essex, thanks to two wides on what was supposed to be the final ball. The Red Rose found it challenging to chase down a target of 108 on a tricky pitch, but Eve Jones scored 59 off 58 balls to guide her team through a tense finish. Essex fought hard to defend their total of 107, with standout bowling performances from Eva Gray (1-14) and Maddie Penna (2-11).
Mahika Gaur delivered an explosive start, taking three wickets for just one run in her first two overs, dismissing Lauren Winfield-Hill and Grace Scrivens for ducks. Gaur ended with figures of 3-22 while Alana King (2-17) and Tara Norris (2-22) also contributed significantly. Lancashire’s keeper Ellie Threlkeld set a competition record with six dismissals, while Alice Macleod top-scored for Essex with 23 runs.
Gaur’s early wicket of former England opener Winfield-Hill ignited the match, and she maintained pressure with two more wickets soon after. Despite a brief fightback from Cordelia Griffith and Maddie Penna, the hosts crumbled to 107 all out, with two late runouts adding to their troubles.
In the chase, only 26 runs were scored during the powerplay, and key wickets fell swiftly for Lancashire. However, Jones’ steady innings paved the way for a thrilling finish, reaching 50 runs before being stumped. Lancashire ultimately scrambled home with just two runs needed on the last ball of the innings.
Match 53: Somerset Women vs The Blaze Women, Vitality Blast Women
ECB Reporters Network, supported by Rothesay
Somerset spinners Olivia Barnes and Chloe Skelton excelled in a match against The Blaze, but rain curtailed the contest at the Cooper Associates Ground. Barnes took 3-12 and Skelton 3-26 as The Blaze posted 138 runs. Georgia Elwiss was the top scorer for The Blaze with 35 runs.
The game was halted due to persistent rain, resulting in a no-result outcome, with both teams receiving two points. Somerset, still at the bottom of the table with just one win in 13 matches, could not capitalize on a promising bowling display. The Blaze, qualified for Finals Day, remains in second place behind Surrey.
Somerset’s skipper, Sophie Luff, won the toss and chose to bowl first on a used pitch. Skelton struck early, helping reduce The Blaze to 51-3. Despite some resistance from Elwiss and later, Kirk and Higham, who added runs towards the end, the game was ultimately abandoned before Somerset could bat.
© Cricket World 2025
Vitality Blast Women 2025 Stats: Runs, Wickets, and Sixes
Batting Stats WOMENT20
Wicket Takers WOMENT20
Most Sixes WOMENT20
© Cricket World 2025
