MacGregor bowls Essex to first T20 victory

ESMAE MacGregor claimed career-best T20 figures as Essex’s bowlers ripped through the Somerset batting line-up to secure their side's first win of the Women’s Vitality Blast at Chelmsford on Sunday.

- By BEN KOSKY

The Essex medium-pacer finished with four for eight from 3.2 overs, while leg-spinner Abtaha Maqsood took two for 16 as the visitors were rolled for just 84, with Fran Wilson their only batter to reach double figures.

Somerset had looked strongly-placed at halfway after seamer Ellie Anderson's three for 19 restricted their opponents to 149 for seven, opener Lauren Winfield-Hill top-scoring with 42 from 25 balls.

Anderson struck with her first delivery after Somerset had won the toss and inserted their hosts, uprooting Grace Scrivens’ middle stump to set the tone with two tight power-play overs.

The seamer should have snapped up another early wicket, spilling a return drive from Lissy Macleod, while Winfield-Hill swept Chloe Skelton for successive boundaries as the pair added a brisk 45 from 33.