The inaugural edition of the Women’s Twenty20 (T20) County Cup is a professional knockout T20 competition for women’s cricket in England and Wales. The tournament features various county teams from all levels, culminating in a high-profile Finals Day, which marks a major step forward in the professionalization and promotion of women’s domestic cricket.
The two finalists – Lancashire and Surrey – had a good run throughout the tournament winning all their games leading up to the final. Seren Smale and Emma Lamb were the two standout batters for Lancashire, while Kira Chathli and Phoebe Franklin were the standout batters for Surrey. On the bowling front, Sophie Ecclestone from Lancashire and Alexa Stonehouse from Surrey were the pick of the bowlers throughout their run respectively.
The final of Women’s County Championship T20, 2025 was played between Lancashire Women and Surrey Women at the Cooper Associates County ground in Taunton.
Lancashire sent into bat after Surrey won the toss, posted an imposing total of 172 for 6 from their 20 overs. The foundation was laid by a commanding opening partnership of 86 runs between Tilly Kesteven and Emma Lamb. Kesteven was the standout, notching her maiden senior fifty, registering a fine 77 from 60 balls, including 14 boundaries.
Opener Lamb contributed 27 off 25 balls before being dismissed in the 11th over. After Lamb’s wicket, Seren Smale (19 off 15) and Fi Morris (27 off just 13, with three fours and a six) kept the momentum going. Surrey’s off-spinner Kalea Moore was the pick of their bowlers, claiming 4 wickets for 27 runs, including two wickets in the final over.
Chasing 173, Surrey started brightly with Kira Chathli smashing two sixes off Kate Cross before being bowled the next ball. Captain Bryony Smith hit four consecutive boundaries off Grace Potts but was caught soon after, leaving Surrey at 41-2. Phoebe Franklin provided resistance with a brisk 41 off 36 balls, but the required run rate kept climbing.
The turning point came with Sophie Ecclestone’s spell, who took 4 wickets for just 12 runs, including key wickets in the middle overs, and bowled 15 dot balls. Surrey were ultimately reduced to 140 from their 20 overs, falling well short of the target.
Lancashire’s victory was built on a strong batting display and a match-winning spell from Ecclestone, who was left out of the England squad for the upcoming West Indies series but responded with a decisive performance. The win marks Lancashire Thunder as the first-ever champions of the new era of the women’s domestic cricket, a significant milestone for the side and for women’s county cricket in England.
Kesteven’s 77 was not only her maiden senior fifty but also the highest score of the final, providing Lancashire with the platform to claim the inaugural title. Her composure, shot selection, and ability to accelerate in key phases made her the “shining light” of the Thunder’s innings and a decisive factor in their 32-run victory. She was also awarded the Player of the Match award in the final for setting up Lancashire’s emphatic victory.
Loves all things female cricket