As the ECB Women’s One Day Cup 2026 kicks off, every team starts with a clean slate on the points table. The curtain raiser will see Durham face defending champions Lancashire at Riverside Ground, Chester-le-Street, starting 3:00 PM Indian Standard Time (IST) on April 11, 2026. Lancashire, the defending champions, will be looking to maintain their spot at the summit, while Durham, who finished 6th last year, are eager to move up from the mid-table pack and establish themselves as genuine contenders from day one.
Squads:
Durham Women’s Cricket Team
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
Lancashire Women’s Cricket Team
Danielle Collins, Emma Lamb, Eve Jones, Katie Mack, Liberty Heap, Darcey Carter, Kate Cross, Sophie Ecclestone, Mahika Gaur, Grace Potts, Fi Morris, Eleanor Threlkeld, Seren Smale, Grace Johnson, Alisa Lister, Alana King, Hannah Jones, Olivia Bell, Phoebe Graham, Sophie Morris, Tara Norris
Players to watch out:
Hollie Armitage
Hollie comes into 2026 after a standout 2025 campaign where she was a pillar of the Durham batting order. She amassed 624 runs across 13 innings, highlighted by a brilliant 111, proving her ability to anchor an innings while maintaining a solid average of 52.00. Her consistency was evident with four half-centuries to her name, and she will be expected to lead from the front again this year after finding the boundary 71 times last season.
Emma Lamb
Emma was arguably the most dominant force in the previous season, topping the run charts with a massive 794 runs in just 12 matches. Her average of 72.18 is a testament to how difficult she was to dismiss, especially during her towering knock of 142. With two centuries and six fifties in 2025, she enters the 2026 cup as the prized wicket for any bowling attack, coming off a season where she struck 84 fours.
Phoebe Turner
Phoebe established herself as a genuine threat with the ball in 2025, finishing the year with 22 wickets for Durham. She was remarkably consistent throughout her 13 matches, maintaining a tidy economy of 5.16 and producing a best of 4/33. Her strike rate of 26.18 shows she has a knack for breaking partnerships just when needed, making her a vital asset for the 2026 season.
Grace Potts
Grace remains a key pace option for Lancashire, having picked up 16 wickets in the 11 matches she played last season. Her ability to provide breakthroughs was best seen in her 4/37 spell, and she proved she could keep things relatively tight with an economy of 4.91. Heading into 2026, her experience in leading the line and her strike rate of just under 30 will be crucial for her side’s trophy ambitions.
Pitch:
The pitch at Chester-le-Street is traditionally known as a seamer’s paradise, especially in the early stages of a match. The surface often retains moisture, offering significant lateral movement and swing. However, once the initial shine wears off, it tends to become a very reliable batting track with an average innings score of around 281.
Weather:
Chester-le-Street will have light rain during the day and be cloudy at night with a high of 10°C and a low of 6°C. Clear overhead conditions promise a complete and uninterrupted game of cricket.
Fantasy Playing XI:
Hollie Armitage, Katherine Fraser, Bess Heath, Katie Levick, Lauren Filer, Phoebe Turner, Emma Lamb, Eve Jones, Katie Mack, Sophie Ecclestone, Grace Potts
Match Details:
Date – April 11, 2026
Time – 3:00 PM IST
Venue – Riverside Ground, Chester-le-Street
Broadcast – A YouTube link to the game will be made available.
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