MATCH PREVIEW: Essex v Lancashire, Women's Metro Bank One-Day Cup
Lancashire head south for a clash between two counties who know each other well, with plenty of links between the two in both dressing rooms.
Essex v Lancashire
Women’s Metro Bank One-Day Cup
Wednesday May 6, 2026, 10.30am
Ambassador Cruise Line Ground, Chelmsford
Squad to face Essex Women
Ellie Threlkeld*, Darcey Carter, Alice Clarke, Danni Collins, Kate Cross, Grace Johnson, Eve Jones, Hannah Jones, Ailsa Lister, Fi Morris, Tara Norris, Maddie Penna, Grace Potts, Seren Smale
Australian overseas batter Maddie Penna has swapped Chelmsford last year for Emirates Old Trafford this, while new Eagles head coach Stephen Parry has made the move in the opposite direction. So too, all-rounder Libby Heap.
Lancashire and Essex, who meet at Chelmsford on Wednesday, have both won two so far this season, though the Red Rose have a game in hand having only played five.
Lancashire head into this one on the back of a commanding and impressive victory over Hampshire at Old Trafford on Saturday, by six wickets chasing 154.
New-ball seamer Kate Cross led the way with three wickets to bowl Hampshire out for 153 before openers Eve Jones and Emma Lamb contributed 47 and 56 respectively against a visiting side who had held top spot in the table before a ball was bowled.
“I thought that was probably the best we'd bowled this season and set the second innings up well,” said captain Ellie Threlkeld immediately after the match.
“It helps when you've got international players in your bowling attack, and a lot of experience in there as well.
“Credit to the way Eve and Lamby went out there as well. At the top of the order, they're a really good duo. I think that's obviously been the story of how we've won a lot of our games of cricket.”
Looking ahead to Essex, Threlkeld said: “We’ve got a couple of big games coming up (ahead of the break for the Vitality Blast to be played).
“Obviously, on the back of a few losses, it's great to get a win. But a few more will definitely keep us in the mix. Hopefully we can take loads of confidence into the next few games.”
Essex also come into this fixture on the back of a win. In fact, they have won their last two.
While Lancashire have a two wins from five record, Essex have two wins from six.
They won against Somerset at Taunton Vale last Wednesday before beating Yorkshire at Headingley on Saturday, the latter by 13 runs defending a 271-target.
The last week has been a significant boost to new coach Parry, who was part of Lancashire’s backroom staff last season as an assistant coach to Chris Read and has been with the Red Rose county as left-arm spinner and coach from boy to man.
Wednesday will be a strange old day in that regard for the 40-year-old Mancunian.
“I've got a lot to thank Lancashire for, and they've supported me over the years,” he said. “Not just me, but my family, and I've been very lucky and fortunate.
“It was a really big decision to leave, but it was a decision I felt was the right time for me. It was not an easy one because I've just got such an affiliation with the club. I’ve been there since I was 10-years-old.
“I’m looking forward to seeing everybody. I left on great terms, and it will be really nice.”
Parry added: “I think I was ready to take on a head coach’s role, and I really like the look of the players in this group (at Essex).
“It was the right time after starting it off from year one after my playing career finished. In five years, they said, ‘We’ll win stuff’. And we did the double. I think it was a natural exit in the right way.
“I'm really proud of what we've built, and obviously I've got to do the same thing here in Essex.”
Opposition player to watch
Esmae MacGregor is a home-grown fast bowler who was outstanding in last year’s Vitality Blast, claiming 21 wickets - the second best return in the competition.
MacGregor, aged 21, now has the challenge to convert that kind of form into 50-over cricket. But she is certainly getting the chance under new head coach Stephen Parry.
Born in Colchester, the right-armer has taken a wicket in three of four One-Day Cup matches so far this season.
Last year’s Blast form earned her a Hundred deal with the Manchester Originals last summer, with her playing once.
She has taken the new ball for Essex this year, though not in every match.
Previous meeting
These two counties shared a win apiece in this competition last season; Essex winning at Chelmsford in early May before Lancashire won the return at Sedbergh at the end of July.
It’s the latter game we are concentrating on here, which the Red Rose won by 138 runs on the back of a stunning 142 from Emma Lamb at the top of the order.
Inserted Lancashire posted a commanding 306-4, built around Lamb’s 15 fours and three sixes in 109 balls. She shared a first-wicket 162 with Eve Jones, who impressed for 71.
In reply, Essex were never in the hunt. They lost captain Grace Scrivens early, and when Australian overseas Maddie Penna - now with the Red Rose - fell, it was 100-4 after 22 overs.
They ended up being bowled out for 168, with Aussie leg-spinner Alana King standing out thanks to her 4-36 from 8.3 overs. England fast bowler Mahika Gaur also took the new ball and impressed for 3-25 from eight overs.
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