England’s new professional era in domestic cricket has set the stage for the much-anticipated Women’s T20 Blast 2025, promising to elevate the women’s game to unprecedented heights.
Ahead of the inaugural Women’s Blast, Surrey has announced a landmark overseas signing, with Australian all-rounder Grace Harris set to feature in their 2025 campaign.
The tournament is divided into two categories: League 1, contested by the eight Tier-1 status-awarded counties, and League 2, featuring the remaining ten counties.
Surrey, part of the Tier-1 lineup, will kick off their campaign on May 30th with an away game against Somerset. Harris will link up the squad ahead of their first home game at The Oval on June 5th, where they face Hampshire, and will remain available throughout.
Expressing her excitement, Grace Harris said, “I can’t wait to take to the pitch with the team at Surrey and the Kia Oval. The Club has shown a strong commitment to the women’s side and I know the team have been preparing hard over the winter. I’m really looking forward to contributing to the team and making the most of my time with them.”
Harris, a veteran of 131 Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) games, has scored 2,854 runs at an impressive strike rate of 130.49. Her record includes 13 half-centuries and three centuries, with the career-best score of 136*. She has also claimed 66 wickets, with her best bowling figures of 4/15, maintaining an economy rate of 6.90.
A sought-after player in T20 cricket, Harris has also excelled in India’s Women’s Premier League (WPL). In 21 matches, she has amassed 581 runs at an average of 32.27 and a strike rate of 140.33, with three half-centuries, including the highest score of 72. She has also taken 13 wickets, including a career-best 4/15, highlighted by a hat-trick in the recently concluded season.
Although her experience in English cricket is limited to six matches in The Hundred, Harris left a mark during her stint with London Spirit in 2023, scoring 114 runs at a strike rate of 150.00. Her ability to influence games with both bat and ball makes her a standout player, and her signing as Surrey’s first fully professional international player underscores her stature in the game.
Emma Calvert, Surrey’s Director of Women’s Cricket, shared her enthusiasm about the signing, “We are incredibly excited to be able to announce Grace as our first overseas signing for our newly professional Surrey women’s team.
“Grace brings international and franchise experience which we believe will really add value to our squad both on and off the pitch. She plays exactly the style of cricket we look to play and I can’t wait to see her wearing the three feathers at the Kia Oval this summer.”
(Quotes sourced from media release)
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