Essex Women's 2026 T20 Blast Cricket Draft Preview

Overview

Essex finished second-bottom in 2025 with 19 points after winning four games and losing nine, with one "no result." The team has been dealt a blow with the loss of Lauren Winfield-Hill to Yorkshire; she topped Essex’s run-scoring charts last term with 334 to her name.

They face a tricky start to the campaign against Warwickshire—a side that made it to the final last season. However, in their two meetings in 2025, Essex did get the better of them in their first encounter. While they had a tough start to the season in the One Day Cup, losing their first four games, they have since won two on the bounce. Consequently, they enter the T20 competition on a much-improved run of form.

Essex Women's T20 Blast Fantasy Values

Banker / Wildcard / Young Gun / England Pick

Banker: Grace Scrivens (ALR)

A huge talent and a key player for Essex at only 22 years of age. Scrivens made 214 runs last season and took eight wickets with her off-spin. She already has a half-century under her belt this summer and will be looking to kick on and push for her first England cap. She also brings valuable experience from The Hundred and the WBBL.

Wildcard: Sophia Smale (ALR)

As the joint-cheapest of Essex’s all-rounder options at £6.6m, Smale will be batting in the middle order and bowling regularly. Her 39 overs last season were the second-most in the team, ensuring high match involvement. She is currently averaging 28 with the bat and has taken seven wickets—the second-most for Essex so far this summer.

Young Gun: Flo Miller (BAT)

Miller has had a solid start to the summer in 50-over cricket. Batting in the top order, she has scored 139 runs at an average of 34.75, including a best of 54 not out. She has maintained a strong scoring rate with a strike rate of 91.44. Valued at £5.7m, she is a budget-friendly option who could play a pivotal role within the team.

England Watch: Jodi Grewcock (ALR)

Grewcock has been named in the England squad to face New Zealand and will look to continue her fine start to the One Day Cup campaign. She is currently the team's third-highest run-scorer with 346 runs at an average of 86.50, including a century and two 50s. She will play a key role with both bat and ball, having averaged 37 with the bat in this tournament last year.

Potential Strongest Starting XI

No	Player	Role
1	Grace Scrivens	ALR
2	Cordellia Griffith	BAT
3	Flo Miller	BAT
4	Jodi Grewcock	ALR
5	Sophia Smale	ALR
6	Jo Gardner	ALR
7	Amara Carr	WKT
8	Eva Gray	BWL
9	Kate Coppack	BWL
10	Esmae MacGregor	BWL
11	Abtaha Maqsood	BWL