The Women’s T20 Blast 2025 heats up as Durham Women prepare to face Hampshire Women in match number 43 at Chester-le-Street tomorrow. With Durham languishing near the bottom of the table and desperate for a turnaround, the pressure is mounting for Suzie Bates and her team to deliver a statement performance. Meanwhile, Hampshire, currently holding fifth place, will look to capitalize on their momentum and strengthen their push for the semifinals in what promises to be a high-stakes encounter.
This contest promises to be a battle of star batters, with Ella McCaughan in red-hot form for Hampshire. Her consistency at the top has been instrumental in Hampshire’s strong start, and she will once again be the key wicket Durham must target. On the other side, Suzie Bates remains Durham’s talisman, but she has lacked support from her teammates. The outcome of this clash could hinge on which of these prolific openers can anchor their side’s innings and inspire a much-needed win.
Chester-le-Street has produced high-scoring encounters this season, with teams regularly posting totals close to 180 or more. Both sides will be aware that a strong start and a deep batting effort are crucial, especially with chasing teams tending to fare better at this venue. While Hampshire enter as favorites given their superior form and depth, Durham’s newly assembled squad—featuring a mix of youth and international experience—will be eager to prove themselves in front of their home crowd. Expect a fiercely competitive match as both teams look to seize the momentum and keep their playoff hopes alive.
Squads
Durham Women:
Emily Windsor, Emma Marlow, Hollie Armitage, Leah Dobson, Suzie Bates, Katherine Fraser, Mady Villiers, Trudy Johnson, Bess Heath, Mia Rogers, Abigail Glen, Katie Levick, Lauren Filer, Lizzie Scott, Phoebe Turner, Sophia Turner
Hampshire Women:
Abigale Norgrove, Daisy Mullan, Ella McCaughan, Georgia Adams, Maia Bouchier, Poppy Tulloch, Ava Lee, Charli Knott, Ellyse Perry, Freya Kemp, Mary Taylor, Naomi Dattani, Rhianna Southby, Bex Tyson, Daisy Gibb, Freya Davies, Lauren Bell, Linsey Smith, Megan Sturge, Nancy Harman, Rebecca Tyson
Players to Watch Out For
Hollie Armitage
Hollie Armitage is one of the key players and skipper of the Durham side. In the Women’s Big Bash League, she played 15 matches, scoring 174 runs at an average of 14.50 and a strike rate of 100.00, with a highest score of 30. In the Hundred Women’s Competition, she played 26 matches, scoring 358 runs at an average of 15.56 and a strike rate of 104.98, with a highest score of 46. In her last 9 T20 innings, Armitage has scored 192 runs with six double-digit scores and is one of the experienced campaigners Durham will rely on going forward in the tournament.
Mady Villiers
Mady Villiers, a right-arm off-spinning all-rounder, has taken 17 wickets for England in 19 T20Is at an average of 16.58 and an economy of 6.66, with best figures of 3/10. She has also scored 52 runs in six T20I innings at a strike rate of 167.74, with a highest score of 35. In domestic T20s (like The Hundred), she has played 33 games for the Oval Invincibles, taking 20 wickets and scoring 129 runs. Mady has scored 205 runs in her last 9 T20 innings and picked up 8 wickets with the ball when given the opportunity. Durham will be counting on her all-round prowess.
Freya Kemp
Freya Kemp is a 19-year-old English bowling all-rounder. In T20Is, she has played 25 matches, scored 145 runs (highest score 51, strike rate 129.46), and taken 21 wickets in 21 innings at an average of 20.33 and a strike rate of 15.4. In her last 10 T20 innings, Kemp has scored 242 runs, with one of her best knocks being 63 against Lancashire Women. She will be a key player for Hampshire as the tournament progresses.
Ellyse Perry
Ellyse Perry is a world-class all-rounder, renowned for her contributions in T20 Internationals with both bat and ball. She was the first Australian woman to play 100 T20Is and to reach 100 T20I wickets, playing pivotal roles in Australia’s multiple T20 World Cup victories. In her last 10 T20 innings, Perry has scored 368 runs, including two half-centuries and seven double-digit scores. With the ball, she has picked up 5 wickets in 8 innings. Perry’s powerful middle-order batting, effective medium-pace bowling, and sharp fielding make her a game-changer.
Pitch Report
The pitch at the Riverside Ground in Chester-le-Street is generally considered good for batting, offering consistent bounce and decent pace. It tends to flatten out as the match progresses, making run-scoring easier—especially in the second innings. Seamers may find some early movement if there’s cloud cover or moisture, while spinners could play a role later in the game. Overall, the surface favors aggressive batters.
Weather Forecast
Expect warm and mostly sunny weather with light winds and no rain—ideal conditions for a thrilling contest between Durham and Hampshire Women.
Fantasy Playing XI
Hollie Armitage, Suzie Bates, Mady Villiers, Bess Heath, Phoebe Turner, Ella McCaughan, Georgia Adams, Maia Bouchier, Charli Knott, Ellyse Perry, Freya Kemp
Match Details
Date: 11th July, 2025
Time: 11 PM IST
Venue: Riverside Ground, Chester-le-Street, England
Broadcast: Live-streamed on the FanCode app and website
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