This is a heavyweight clash in the Women’s T20 Blast 2026 near the top of the table, with Hampshire Women currently flying high in second place, tied on 31 points with the league leaders after picking up six wins, one loss, and a couple of ties from their nine games. The Blaze Women are not too far behind in fourth place with 25 points, having registered six wins and three losses from their nine matches, making this a crucial encounter for the top four dynamics.
Squads:
Hampshire Women’s Cricket Team
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
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
Players to watch out:
Maia Bouchier
Maia Bouchier has been in utterly devastating form for Hampshire Women, amassing 355 runs in just 6 innings. Boasting an incredible average of 88.75 and a destructive strike rate of 148.53, she has been nearly impossible for bowlers to figure out. With 4 half-centuries and a top score of 87, her aggressive intent is clear from the 43 boundaries and 8 massive sixes she has already cleared.
Marie Kelly
Kelly has anchored the batting unit for The Blaze Women, contributing 240 runs across her 9 outings. Averaging an even 30.00, she has shown great responsibility at the crease, remaining unbeaten once with a top score of 55*. Striking at 128.34, she prefers precise placement over raw power, anchoring her team’s efforts with 37 boundaries.
Georgia Adams
Georgia Adams has been a standout performer in the bowling department for Hampshire Women, capturing 15 wickets in her 9 matches. She has been incredibly tough to score against, stifling batters across her 36 overs with an outstanding economy rate of 6.11. Averaging a wicket every 14.40 balls, her consistency has been remarkable, with her best tournament figures standing at a sharp 3/18.
Charli Knott
Charli Knott has been an absolute force with the ball for The Blaze Women, leading from the front with 16 wickets in 9 games. She has mixed relentless accuracy with genuine threat, averaging a scalp every 14.31 runs while bowling an impressive maiden over. Her crowning achievement this season is a mesmerizing six-wicket haul, blowing past lineups with magical best figures of 6/25.
Pitch:
The Rose Bowl in Southampton offers a more sporting, well-balanced wicket that provides a decent contest between bat and ball. Early on, the track offers helpful carry, seam, and swing for the fast bowlers, and it can grip slightly to give spinners some purchase in the middle overs.
Weather:
The forecast for Southampton indicates partly sunny skies with a peak afternoon temperature of 28°C. The conditions promise a complete and uninterrupted game of cricket.
Fantasy Playing XI:
Maddy Green, Marie Kelly, Scarlett Hughes, Charley Phillips, Grace Ballinger, Sarah Glenn, Ella McCaughan, Georgia Adams, Maia Bouchier, Charli Knott, Rebecca Tyson
Match Details:
Date – July 8, 2026
Time – 7:30 PM IST
Venue – The Rose Bowl, Southampton
Broadcast – ECB App, Website & County YouTube channel
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