Vitality Blast women's competition (Tier 1) county-by-county preview

The ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay has provided the annual county-by-county preview for the Vitality Blast women's competition (Tier 1) ahead of the opening games on Friday night.

Yorkshire will play in Tier 1 for the frist time this season with the group-stage reduced to 12 matches per team, with four counties progressing to Finals Day at the Kia Oval on Friday 17 July.

Durham

Previewed by Graham Hardcastle, ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay

Captain: Hollie Armitage

Overseas player: Heather Graham (Australia, all)

2025 finish: 5th

2025 leading run-scorer: Suzie Bates (439)

2025 leading wicket-taker: Katie Levick (13)

Key winter moves: Australian all-rounder Heather Graham has been signed to replace veteran New Zealander Suzie Bates, who was unable to return to the North East because of T20 World Cup duty. Graham has spent the last two seasons as an overseas player with The Blaze. She was a Charlotte Edwards T20 Cup winner in 2024 and a Blast semi-finalist last summer.

The big question: Can Durham kick on from last year’s mid-table, group stage finish? Only five wins from 14 matches last term left them short of a Finals Day appearance by a good distance. Two fewer games this season, they must target at least six wins to have a chance of a top-four finish for a 17 July trip to the Kia Oval.

Wildcard watch: Sophia Turner. Spinners Katie Levick (13 wickets) and Mady Villiers (11) led the way with the ball for Durham in last season’s Blast, but skilful Sophia Turner – aged 23 – was their most prolific seamer with 10. She struck in six of her last seven Blast games in 2025, the other being a No Result. She is used more late in an innings by Hollie Armitage.

Final thought: Hollie Armitage and Bess Heath will be hoping they can transfer that winning feeling from last year’s Hundred with the Northern Superchargers through to their county. The knowledge they gained from that can only help the younger players in Durham’s squad. The loss of director of cricket Marcus North to England as the new men’s national selector within sight of the competition starting is not ideal, but the bulk of the preparation for this campaign will be done now.

Essex

Previewed by Ben Kosky, ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay

Captain: Grace Scrivens

Overseas players: None

2025 finish: 7th

2025 leading run-scorer: Lauren Winfield-Hill (334)

2025 leading wicket-taker: Esmae MacGregor (21)

Key winter moves: Batter Liberty Heap, signed from Lancashire, is yet to feature for Essex – and the bigger issue as arguably who they’ve lost, rather than gained, since the 2025 Blast campaign. Lauren Winfield-Hill, back at Yorkshire after last season’s loan spell, was Essex’s leading run-scorer with Australian all-rounder Maddie Penna, now lining up for Lancashire, a close second.

The big question: It’s not only how Essex replace Winfield-Hill and Penna, but how they go about putting runs on the board collectively. The team only posted two totals above 160 last year, one in a dead rubber against Durham, and the likes of Cordelia Griffith, Grace Scrivens and recent England ODI cap Jodi Grewcock need to find ways of improving that.

Wildcard watch: Flo Miller has begun the 50-over tournament in good form, hitting unbeaten half-centuries against Somerset and Surrey and her strike rate of almost 96 is the best among Essex’s recognised batters. The 22-year-old could really come into her own as a T20 finisher – provided the top order give her a solid foundations to work with.

Final thought: Essex may miss Abtaha Maqsood’s wicket-taking skills in the post-powerplay overs while the leg-spinner is on World Cup duty with Scotland, but they possess a good stock of seamers who can do some damage. Esmae MacGregor’s return of 21 wickets was the second-best in last year’s Blast while Eva Gray, Sophie Munro and Kate Coppack should all help to make Essex more competitive, as long as they have something substantial to bowl at.

Hampshire Hawks

Previewed by Alex Smith, ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay

Captain: Georgia Adams

Overseas players: Amanda-Jade Wellington (Australia, all)

2025 finish: 6th

2025 leading run-scorer: Ella McCaughan (327)

2025 leading wicket-taker: Bex Tyson (16 wickets)

Key winter moves: Ellyse Perry might have brought star power last year, but her overseas replacement, Amanda-Jade Wellington, offers almost guaranteed game-changing moments. Freya Davies retired, and Mary Taylor decamped to Warwickshire, so there is more fast bowling pressure on Daisy Gibb and Poppy Tulloch to step up.

The big question: Can Ella McCaughan restart from where she left off? The opening batter was on course for an all-timer campaign by beginning with three fifties in a row before striking the women’s competition’s maiden century. A season-ending injury stopped the run-fest in its tracks. A full campaign of that quality will only increase talk of higher honours.

Wildcard watch: Francesca Sweet. When she signed in the winter, the hope was that all-rounder Sweet would fill a hole in the depleted bowling ranks. In the Metro Bank One-Day Cup, it has turned out that batting is her stronger suit. She has all the attributes to be a powerful finisher, which could turn matches in Hampshire’s favour and earn the attention of The Hundred recruiters.

Final thought: This year’s Blast is a difficult one to predict, with it coinciding with the T20 World Cup. The Hawks’ non-internationals look in a far better position than a year ago to compete at this level, especially with Naomi Dattani now fit, and youngsters becoming more consistent. Bettering their disappointing sixth-place finish shouldn’t be difficult, and they should be in the mix for a Finals Day place.

Lancashire Thunder

Previewed by Graham Hardcastle, ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay

Captain: Ellie Threlkeld

Overseas player: Meg Lanning (Australia, full campaign)

2025 finish: 4th

2025 leading run-scorer: Emma Lamb (336)

2025 leading wicket-taker: Alana King, Tara Norris (16)

Key winter moves: Talk about statement signing, hey. Lancashire’s capture of Australian batting legend Meg Lanning is not only a boost for to the county’s hopes of Blast glory but also the county game in general. The best players in the world want to come and play here. Happy days. She replaces compatriot Alana King, the leg-spinner who was Thunder’s joint top wicket-taker last year.

The big question: Can Lancashire complete the set? Champions last year in both the Vitality County T20 Cup and then the Metro Bank One-Day Cup, this is the missing one they would love to put into the Emirates Old Trafford trophy cabinet. That they fell short of a place at Finals Day last year really stung a side who are hungry for sustained success.

Wildcard watch: Grace Johnson. Not an automatic pick in Thunder’s XI, but perhaps more likely given the impending absence of Scotland duo Ailsa Lister and Darcey Carter because of T20 World Cup duty. An Academy graduate who bowls seam and bats in the middle order, the now 21-year-old captained Lancashire’s U18s to two national titles in 2024.

Final thought: It certainly hasn’t been the start to the season Lancashire were wanting, with batting fragilities leaving them with an uphill task to defend their One-Day Cup title. They will be banking on Meg Lanning’s presence to really give that area of their team some oomph in the Blast. Friday July 10 looms as a historic day for the county as they host a televised T20 Roses double header at Emirates Old Trafford. The women open a blockbuster day with an afternoon clash against Yorkshire.

Somerset

By Andy Stockhausen, ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay

Captain: Sophie Luff

Overseas player: Anika Learoyd (Australia, all)

2025 finish: 8th

2025 leading run-scorer: Amanda-Jade Wellington (254)

2025 leading wicket-taker: Molly Robbins (15)

Key winter moves: Australia A international Anika Learoyd will fill the overseas vacancy created by Amanda-Jade Wellington's switch to Hampshire, while England's Dani Gibson and Charlie Dean have signed one and two-year contract extensions respectively. England Under-19 seamer Bea Willis, batter Ruby Davis and leg spinner Lola Harris have agreed their first professional deals. Opener Amelie Munday and seamer Laura Jackson were released in the winter, while batter Fran Wilson took up a coaching role at Gloucestershire.

The big question: Can a relatively inexperienced squad find a way to win matches without their senior England players? In the anticipated absence of Heather Knight, Dani Gibson and Charlie Dean, it will be incumbent upon those with less experience to prove they can muster the consistency needed to translate last year's near misses into victories in 2026.

Wildcard watch: Lola Harris – playing her first season at this level and still something of an unknown quantity on the county circuit, the highly-rated teenage leg spinner has already made an impact in the Metro Bank One Day Cup. She has a great repeatable action and, providing she can maintain her composure under pressure, the England Under-19 international possesses the variation required to cause problems for batters.

Final thought: Although weakened by the loss of new ball bowler Mollie Robbins and batter Emma Corney, Somerset should still have sufficient resource to better last season's disappointing return of one win from 14 games. If Anika Learoyd, Bex Odgers, Sophie Luff and Niamh Holland can score runs consistently, Chloe Skelton and Alex Griffiths possess the bowling knowhow to restrict the opposition.

Surrey

Captain: Bryony Smith

Overseas players: Laura Harris (Australia, all)

2025 finish: Winners

2025 leading run-scorer: Danni Wyatt-Hodge (377)

2025 leading wicket-taker: Ryana MacDonald-Gay (15)

Key winter moves: Laura Harris has arrived as the overseas star to fill the void left by her younger sister Grace, who was a huge hit last year. Emma Jones has left for The Blaze while Alexa Stonehouse is on loan at Warwickshire and Tash Farrant has retired. Rachel King and Emily Burke (academy) have joined the squad.

The big question: Surrey are victims of their own success in many ways with four players named in the England squad for the T20 World Cup (more than any other county) and Priyanaz Chatterji called up for Scotland. How will they compensate for the loss of three of their top six and the spin wizardry of Tilly Corteen-Coleman? Opportunity certainly knocks for others.

Wildcard watch: Alice Monaghan – all-rounder Monaghan was just finding her way into the team during last season’s tournament but appears much more of a fixture now. A more than useful seamer, Monaghan will also be needed to fill one of the voids in the top order, and she’s also shown herself to be one of the team’s top fielders.

Final thought: Surrey carried an aura of invincibility in last year’s tournament but look more vulnerable now. Laura Harris doesn’t have the all-round versatility of sister Grace, but boasted a strike-rate of 207 last year. Two players conspicuous by their absence so far this season may be crucial to hopes of repeat success.

The Blaze

Previewed by Jon Culley, ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay

Captain: Kirstie Gordon

Overseas players: Charli Knott (Australia, all)

2025 finish: Semi-finalists

2025 leading run-scorer: Georgia Elwiss (412)

2025 leading wicket-taker: Kathryn Bryce (17)

Key winter moves: The Blaze have signed talented Australia A all-rounder Charli Knott, who brings experience of the Women’s Premier League in India, the Women’s Big Bash and The Hundred, and hit five white-ball half-centuries for Hampshire Women last summer. Meanwhile, Emma Jones, formerly with Surrey, can provide useful runs in the middle order.

The big question: The Blaze, like others, will be depleted because of the clash with the Women’s T20 World Cup. They lose England’s Amy Jones and Nat Sciver-Brunt and Ireland’s Orla Prendergast, although it may be the unavailability of their three Scots, Kathryn and Sarah Bryce and Blaze skipper Kirstie Gordon, that is the most keenly felt. Can those left step up a level?

Wildcard watch: United States international Ella Claridge, whose country missed out on qualification for the T20 World Cup, has a chance to make her presence felt in the Vitality Blast. The 24-year-old wicketkeeper batter will carry some responsibility in the absence of Scotland’s Sarah Bryce and England’s Amy Jones but has proved before that she can rise to the challenge under pressure.

Final thought: Even stripped of six internationals, The Blaze still have the capacity to mount a challenge for silverware. Marie Kelly, a very capable top-order batter and excellent fielder, will captain the side, with experienced England batter Tammy Beaumont as a sounding board as well as a key source of runs. Charley Phillips, Grace Ballinger and Cassidy McCarthy are three top-notch seamers, while former England all-rounder Georgia Elwiss has enjoyed a couple of outstanding seasons with bat and ball.

Warwickshire

Previewed by Brian Halford, ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay

Captain: Georgia Davis

Overseas players: Georgia Redmayne (Australia, all)

2025 finish: finalists

2025 leading run-scorer: Davina Perrin (385)

2025 leading wicket-taker: Millie Taylor (22)

Key winter moves: Australia wicketkeeper/batter Georgia Redmayne has been signed and will bring valuable experience and nous to a squad which is highly talented but still relatively young and inexperienced.

The big question: Can Warwickshire’s squad cope with injuries to key personnel which will affect them in the group stage? Katie George (abductor) and Davina Perrin (hamstring), two integral members of the first-choice top order, will miss at least the early group games. With Issy Wong and Em Arlott away on England duty, the Bears’ squad depth will be tested.

Wildcard watch: Meg Austin – an aggressive top-order batter who scores quickly with a range of strokes, the 21-year-old from Staffordshire is a ‘proper’ batter who can also improvise. Quick between the wickets, she is capable of delivering exciting, match-turning innings.

Final thought: The Bears did brilliantly to finish as runners-up in the Blast last year. They finished third in the group stage to reach Finals Day at which they beat much-fancied Blaze in the semi before losing to Surrey in the final. To have done all that has raised expectations among their supporters this time round, Can the Bears rise to the challenge of higher expectations…as successful teams must do?

Yorkshire

Previewed by Graham Hardcastle, ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay

Captain: Lauren Winfield-Hill

Overseas player: Jess Jonassen (Australia, all)

2025 finish: Finalists, Tier 2

2025 leading run-scorer: Georgie Boyce (288)

2025 leading wicket-taker: Ria Fackrell (16)

Key winter moves: Yorkshire have signed two international spin-bowling all-rounders in England’s Sarah Glenn and Australia’s Jess Jonassen. Both add quality and know-how to a largely inexperienced squad looking to make the step up to Tier 1 having impressed in last year’s Tier 2 Blast when they were beaten finalists against Middlesex. In all, they won nine of 10 matches in that competition.

The big question: Can they stand some absence through the middle phase of the season because of the T20 World Cup being played in England? Sterre Kalis and Rachel Slater will be missing a good chunk of matches due to Netherlands and Scotland duty. It’s far from ideal for coach Rich Pyrah, who isn’t blessed with a deep squad.

Wildcard watch: Ines Blackwell. Yorkshire’s Academy all-rounder turns 17 on May 30. She’s very highly rated by the White Rose hierarchy, as indicated by her being a regular fixture in the team through the early-season One-Day Cup block. A middle-order batter and a medium-pace, in-swing bowler, she is an ‘old head on young shoulders’ character. In a ODC tie against Durham, she even pulled Lauren Filer for six.

Final thought: Yorkshire’s start to life in Tier 1 has been a real mixed bag. They have played some brilliant cricket and even beat defending One-Day Cup champions Lancashire at Emirates Old Trafford. But they have also let some victories slip through their grasp. They won two of their first four matches and potentially should have won all four. Countless run outs and a lack of tail-end runs has hurt them. If they are going to progress quickly, they need to wise up.