Holland’s 92 rescues Somerset and keeps qualification hopes alive

Lewis Holland played a match-winning unbeaten knock of 92_ to keep Somerset in the race for qualification.

The 21-year-old allrounder, who featured in England A's recent 50-over series against India, held her nerve after a late flurry of wickets to squeeze Somerset over the line at Chelmsford with a brilliant undefeated 92 from 54 balls.

Essex, who needed a win to keep their own qualification chances alive, looked on course for a commanding total after captain Grace Scrivens (73 from 51) and Sophia Smale (43 from 29) guided them to 142 for 1.

But they lost their way after shedding three wickets in as many deliveries, with Somerset seamer Erin Vukusic taking 3 for 31 to restrict their opponents to 177 for 5.

Holland anchors the innings

He stayed till the end and carried Somerset through. 92_ under pressure — paced it well and finished the job. Qualification still on The win/strong performance means Somerset aren’t out yet. They stay in the hunt for a knockout spot with games left. Clutch knock With the tournament getting tight, this was exactly the innings Somerset needed. Holland delivered when it mattered.

Although Vukusic foxed Bosch with a slower delivery that she skied to point, it did not derail Essex's momentum as Scrivens carved a string of off-side boundaries and also swept Holland to the fence to pass her 50.

Somerset squandered opportunities to remove the left-hander, with Maddie Russell and Sophie Luff both spilling miscues behind square and Smale weighed in with some innovative strokes and powerful straight hitting as the pair added 99 from 60.

Jo Gardner gave them a late push with a quick 19 off 18. She was eventually caught in the deep by Vukusic, who then bowled a tight death over. That gave Somerset momentum going into the chase. Home side hit back early. Sophie Munro turned it around straight away: Bowled Bex Odgers first ball with an outswinger Then got the big wicket of Luff, caught at long-on after Bryony Gillgrass did well to juggle and hold it.

But, with seven needed from the final over, it was not enough for MacGregor to defend and Holland squirted the penultimate delivery for two to seal a tense win.