Trent Bridge plays host to an intriguing battle as The Blaze Women welcome Yorkshire Women to Tier 1 T20 cricket in the Women’s T20 Blast 2026. The Blaze were fantastic last season, finishing as comfortable runners-up to Surrey with 8 wins and a healthy 42 points. They are a well-oiled machine that knows how to navigate tournament cricket. They face a Yorkshire side entering this campaign with a point to prove, eager to show they belong at the absolute top table against the established heavyweights.
Squads:
The Blaze Women’s Cricket Team
Ella Claridge, Georgie Boyce, Maddy Green, Marie Kelly, Michaela Kirk, Prisha Thanawala, Tammy Beaumont, Georgia Elwiss, Heather Graham, Kathryn Bryce, Natalie Sciver-Brunt, Orla Prendergast, Amy Jones, Sarah Bryce, Scarlett Hughes, Amy Wheeler, Cassidy McCarthy, Charley Phillips, Grace Ballinger, Josie Groves, Kirstie Gordon, Lucy Higham, Olivia Baker, Sarah Glenn
Yorkshire Women’s Cricket Team
Ines Blackwell, Georgie Boyce, Ami Campbell, Claudie Cooper, Rebecca Duckworth, Grace Hall, Jess Jonassen, Sterre Kalis, Beth Langston, Hannah Rainey, Rachel Slater, Erin Thomas, Maddie Ward, Lauren Winfield-Hill, Jessica Woolston
Players to watch out:
Georgia Elwiss
Georgia Elwiss used every bit of her veteran experience to guide The Blaze Women through a highly successful campaign last year. Serving as a crucial pillar in the batting department, she featured in 15 matches and amassed an impressive 412 runs. She was remarkably difficult to dismiss, averaging 41.20 and crossing the half-century mark 5 times, with a top score of 61. Operating at a crisp strike rate of 120.11, she hit 47 boundaries and a couple of sixes to keep her team in control.
Kirstie Gordon
Kirstie Gordon was the defensive heartbeat and tactical mastermind for The Blaze Women’s bowling unit last season. The left-arm spinner showcased masterclass control across her 14 matches, snapping up 17 wickets at a brilliant average of 19.35. What made her especially dangerous was her ability to choke the scoring rate, giving away just 7.15 runs per over across her 46 overs. She was a constant threat with a strike rate of 16.23, highlighted by a magical spell where she ran through the opposition to collect 4/23.
Lauren Winfield-Hill
Lauren Winfield-Hill brought immense experience and a reassuring presence to the top of the order for Essex Women during the 2025 season. Anchoring the batting unit across her 13 matches, she took guard in 13 innings and amassed 334 runs, proving to be a highly dependable run-getter for her squad. Operating at a crisp strike rate of 129.45, she showed great intent by consistently finding the gaps and hammering 53 boundaries over the course of the summer. She averaged 25.69 and hit a season-best score of 69 that included a vital half century.
Rachel Slater
Rachel Slater has been a highly effective frontline weapon for Scotland in the shortest format, making 38 T20I appearances and showing incredible consistency with her left-arm seam. In the 37 innings she bowled, she sent down 656 deliveries to collect 35 wickets at an average of 20.42 and a sharp strike rate of 18.7. While maintaining a steady economy rate of 6.53, her absolute standout moment with the ball came during a brilliant, match-winning spell where she tore through the opposition to claim stunning best figures of 5/17.
Pitch:
One of the premier swing-bowling venues in the country due to its unique microclimate and overhead conditions, Trent Bridge can see the ball hoop around early before settling into an incredibly fast scoring deck.
Weather:
The overheads look set to trigger that latent swing, with mostly cloudy conditions forecast. Temperatures will max out at 27°C with a 12-mph southerly wind and a slightly higher 20% chance of a daytime shower.
Fantasy Playing XI:
Ella Claridge, Georgie Boyce, Maddy Green, Marie Kelly, Georgia Elwiss, Sarah Glenn, Ines Blackwell, Georgie Boyce, Jess Jonassen, Rachel Slater, Lauren Winfield-Hill
Match Details:
Date – May 22, 2026
Time – 7:00 PM IST
Venue – Trent Bridge, Nottingham
Broadcast – The ECB app, website, and YouTube channels.
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