The nine team Women’s One Day Cup kicks off next Saturday (11th April) with the first four games of the season. The Blaze are the team that miss out on the first round, so their season gets underway the following Wednesday. England players are expected to be available for the games in April, although it would be no surprise if there are more batters than bowlers. Into May the English internationals will disappear and are unlikely to be seen again – series v New Zealand and India, before the T20 World Cup in June. The World Cup will also mean that teams will lose their Scottish internationals from the beginning of May.
Looking at the end of the season England have another series against Ireland in
early September, which could cause further disruption, but there are no clashes
for the semi-final and final dates mid-month.
It looks like being a really topsy turvy season that will test squad depth and
here there looks to be a divide between the top three and the the
bottom three.
Top three looks like being Lancashire, Surrey and Warwickshire.
And the bottom three are likely to be Durham, Essex, and Yorkshire.
That leaves Hampshire, The Blaze and Somerset as likely mid-tablers.
It will be interesting to see how the season pans out and whether some of the
England hopefuls can live up to their billing having been in Lottie’s “Top 30 Players in the Country” games recently in South Africa.
So here are my views on all the teams. Make of them what you will. I will have
regular updates after each round of games.
DURHAM
I can’t help feeling that Durham will struggle again this
season, particularly without the assistance of Suzie Bates or any replacement
overseas star.
Batting looks to be their Achilles’ heel, with much riding on the form of Hollie
Armitage, as it did last year, but then she had the help of Bates for much of
the season. Ploughing a lone furrow game after game will be a tough ask. Mady
Villiers, Leah Dobson and Bess Heath will need to step up if Durham are to set
competitive totals.
On the bowling front senior pro Katie Levick will continue to take wickets, and
it will be interesting to see if the young pace bowler, Phoebe Turner, can
continue her good start as a pro. She burst out of the traps last season, but the
second season is always a bit more tricky.
The chances of Durham seeing much of Lauren Filer are pretty slim as she is
likely to be involved with the England set-up, who won’t want her bowling in 50
over games before the T20 World Cup.
Scottish spinner Katherine Fraser may also be missing for a chunk of Durham’s
campaign on international duties just to make their lives more difficult.
Last Year’s League Position : 6th This
Year’s League Position : 8th
Squad : Hollie Armitage, Leah Dobson, Lauren Filer, Katherine Fraser, Abi
Glen, Bess Heath, Trudy Johnson, Katie Levick, Harriet Robson, Lizzie Scott, Grace
Thompson, Phoebe Turner, Sophia Turner, Emma Marlow, Mady Villiers, Emily
Windsor
INS : None known
OUTS : Suzie Bates
England contracted : Lauren Filer
Overseas : Heather Graham (The Blast)
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ESSEX
Last season was a major struggle for the Essex team led by Grace Scrivens.
They won only two of their 14 league fixtures with 18 players getting game time
during the season.
Eva Gray toiled away with the ball, but took two thirds of her 15 wickets in
just two games. Opening bowler Esmae McGregor looked a good prospect and she
will hope to make further progress this season.
Much will be expected of England hopefuls Grace Scrivens and Jodi Grewcock,
both with bat and ball. They were both in England’s “Top 30” in South Africa and
if they want to remain in contention for an England cap (remember England play
Ireland in September) then they will need to stand out at county level.
Scoring enough runs could again be their biggest issue, but they are unlikely to
be significantly affected by international call-ups.
Last Year’s League Position : 8th This Year’s League Position
: 7th
Squad : Amara Carr, Kate Coppack, Ariana Dowse, Jo Gardner, Eva Gray, Jodi
Grewcock, Cordelia Griffith, Liberty Heap, Esmae MacGregor, Lissy Macleod, Abtaha
Maqsood, Flo Miller, Sophie Munro, Grace Scrivens, Sophia Smale
INS : Liberty Heap (Lancs)
OUTS : None known
England contracted : None
Overseas : None
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HAMPSHIRE
Hampshire were the surprise team of 2025 missing out on the title thanks to
a hundred from Lancs’s smart late-season recruit, Gabby Lewis. Their team for
the first few games may look strong with England’s Bell, Bouchier, Smith and
Kemp on hand, but their contributions may be limited after April, and with last
year’s leading wicket-taker, Freya Davies, also missing now retired, life could
become a struggle.
It means opportunities with the bat for bright prospects Ella McCaughan and Abi
Norgrove and with the ball for Daisy Gibb, Bex Tyson and Poppy Tulloch.
The ace up the sleeve is nomadic Aussie Amanda Jade Wellington, who has moved along
the south coast from Somerset. Her experience will be invaluable, but runs and
not just wickets might be needed from her to help Hampshire stay in the top half.
Last Year’s League Position 1st : This Year’s League
Position : 4th
Squad : Georgia Adams, Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier, Naomi Dattani, Daisy
Gibb, Hannah Hardwick, Nancy Harman, Freya Kemp, Ava Lee, Ella McCaughan, Abi
Norgrove, Linsey Smith, Rhianna Southby, Pippa Sproul, Megan Sturge, Francesca
Sweet, Poppy Tulloch, Bex Tyson, Amanda Jade Wellington
INS : Amanda Jade Wellington; Hannah Hardwick, Francesca Sweet; Pippa
Sproul
OUTS : Freya Davies (retd); Daisy Mullan (released); Mary Taylor (Warks)
England contracted : Lauren Bell; Maia Bouchier, Freya Kemp, Linsey
Smith
Overseas : Amanda Jade Wellington
---------------
LANCASHIRE
They only finished third in the league last season, but defeated The Blaze
in the semi-final and then Hampshire in the Final to become the defending
champions.
They relied heavily on Emma Lamb and Eve Jones for the bulk of their runs last
year. They formed a formidable opening partnership. With the permanent addition of Final
centurion Gaby Lewis they have a strong top order, but their middle order may
be called upon to provide more runs this year – Threlkeld, Lister, Smale, Morris
and perhaps young Kesteven (if given the chance). No doubt Kate Cross will keen for runs in the lower middle order too.
They are not likely to see a great deal of Sophie Ecclestone, so Hannah Jones,
Sophie Morris and Fi Morris will have to step up.
Likely to be there or thereabouts.
Last Year’s League Position 3rd : This Year’s League
Position : 2nd
Squad : Olivia Bell, Darcy Carter, Alice Clarke, Danielle Collins, Kate
Cross, Sophie Ecclestone, Mahika Gaur, Grace Johnson, Eve Jones, Hannah Jones, Tilly
Kesteven, Emma Lamb, Gabby Lewis, Ailsa Lister, Fi Morris, Sophie Morris, Tara
Norris, Grace Potts, Seren Smale, Ellie Threlkeld
INS :
OUTS : Alana King, Katie Mack
England contracted : Sophie Ecclestone, Mahika Gaur, Emma Lamb
Scottish : Darcy Carter, Ailsa Lister
Overseas : Gaby Lewis, Meg Lanning (T20 Blast)
---------------
SOMERSET
Last season Somerset got themselves into good positions in games, but could
not get over the line. They are unlikely to have the services of Dean, Knight
and Gibson for long so they will have to make a strong start. Without retiring
stalwart Fran Wilson a lot will fall on the shoulders of Sophie Luff to lead a
very young and inexperienced team. It looks a tough ask.
It looks difficult to see where their runs will come from. The likes of
Holland, Corney and Griffiths will need to knuckle down. But in Katie Jones
they do have an exciting young keeper behind the stumps.
Wickets were hard to come by last season, and with leading wicket-taker Amanda
Jade Wellington departing to Hampshire, could be again. Spinners Chloe Skelton
and Olivia Barnes will have to support seamers Ellie Anderson and Alex
Griffiths.
Not sure Aussie Anika Learoyd is going to be a game changer.
Last Year’s League Position : 7th This Year’s League
Position : 5th
Squad : Ellie Anderson, Olivia Barnes, Emma Corney, Charlie Dean, Dani
Gibson, Alex Griffiths, Lola Harris, Jess Hazell, Niamh Holland, Katie Jones, Heather
Knight, Sophie Luff, Mollie Robbins, Chloe Skelton, Rebecca Odgers, Erin
Vukusic
INS :
OUTS : Amanda Jade Wellington, Fran Wilson, Laura Jackson
England contracted : Charlie Dean, Dani Gibson, Heather Knight
Overseas : Anika Learoyd (April-July)
---------------
SURREY
Despite having the strongest squad on paper last season Surrey’s MBODC
campaign was a poor one, particularly early season when their large England
contingent failed to impose themselves. It was perhaps a sign of things to
come.
Playing their home games at Beckenham runs were easy to come by, but wins
were not. Have to think this could be the last chance saloon for coach Johann
Myburg.
This year they will be playing home games at the Oval, where again you would
think there will be runs aplenty, particularly as their England batters are
likely to be with them for the first few rounds of the competition. Bowling
still looks to be their weak suit. A disgruntled Alexa Stonehouse has gone on
loan to Warwickshire and Tash Farrant has retired. The current status of Ryanna
MacDonald-Gay, who suffered a stress-related back injury in The Hundred last
year is not known, although recruiting Maitlan Brown for the early part of the
season suggests she will not be available. She also took no part in England’s
training camps over the winter. That leaves Phoebe Franklin, Priyanaz Chatterji
and Alice Monaghan as the frontline seam options, with Tilly Corteen-Coleman
and Danielle Gregory as the spin options. Hopefully TCC will be left by England
to have a full county season. She looks their main threat.
The naming of Kira Chatli as captain suggests that Bryony Smith’s participation
in the MBODC may be limited.
Last Year’s League Position : 4th This Year’s League Position
: 1st
Squad : Emily Burke, Alice Capsey, Priyanaz Chatterji, Kira
Chatli, Tilly Corteen-Coleman, Aylish Cranstone, Sophia Dunkley, Danielle
Gregory, Bethan Miles, Alice Davidson-Richards, Phoebe Franklin, Rachel King,
Charlotte Lambert, Ryanna MacDonald-Gay, Alice Monaghan, Kalea Moore, Paige
Scholfield, Bryony Smith, Jemima Spence, Danni Wyatt-Hodge
INS :
OUTS : Tash Farrant (retired); Emma Jones (The Blaze); Alexa Stonehouse
(loan to Warwickshire)
England contracted : Alice Capsey, Sophia Dunkley, Dani Wyatt-Hodge,
Ryanna MacDonald-Gay
Overseas : Maitlan Brown (11/4 – 16/5), Laura Harris (T20 Blast)
---------------
THE BLAZE (Notts)
The chances of The Blaze, thankfully in their last season
under that name, seeing much of Nat Sciver-Brunt are minimal, but then that has
been forever so. However they are likely to see a lot more of Tammy Beaumont, and
perhaps Amy Jones at the start of the season. They may need them as their
domestic batting line-up is not strong.
They are also likely to be without skipper Kirstie Gordon and the Bryce sisters
for the three rounds of MBODC games played in June during the T20 World Cup.
Opportunities then for Ella Claridge, Marie Kelly and Cassida McCarthy to step
up, alongside overseas imports Orla Prendergast and Charli Knott.
Last Year’s League Position : 2nd This Year’s League Position
: 6th
Squad : Liv Baker, Grace Ballinger, Tammy Beaumont, Georgie Boyce, Kathryn
Bryce, Sarah Bryce, Ella Claridge, Georgia Elwiss, Kirstie Gordon, Josie
Groves, Lucy Higham, Amy Jones, Emma Jones, Marie Kelly, Michaela Kirk, Charli
Knott, Cassidy McCarthy, Charley Phillips, Orla Prendergast, Nat Sciver-Brunt,
Anne Sharpe, Prisha Thanawala, Amy Wheeler
INS : Emma Jones (Surrey); Orla Prendergast; Charli Knott
OUTS : Sarah Glenn (Yorkshire); Scarlett Hughes
England contracted : Tammy Beaumont, Amy Jones, Nat Sciver-Brunt
Scottish : Kathryn Bryce, Sarah
Bryce, Kirstie Gordon
Overseas : Orla Prendergast April/May & Aug/Sept; Charli Knott
June/July
---------------
WARWICKSHIRE
Early season the pressure will be on Davina Perrin to perform to try and
force her way into the England T20 World Cup squad. It will be interesting to
see how she copes.
Last season the top order was fragile and was frequently
rescued by the middle and lower order, led by the dependable keeper/batter Abbey
Freeborn. It will also be interesting to see who keeps for the first three
months with Nat Wraith often preferred last season, and with Aussie B-Lister keeper/batter Georgia Redmayne also on her way to Edgbaston. Keeping or not she should shore
up the Warwickshire batting line up and perhaps allow some of the youngsters to
flourish on occasions – Austin, Brewer, Wraith, Ellis and new import Mary
Taylor.
Taylor is really there for her seam bowling skills rather than her batting, but
Warwickshire would do well to work with her on her batting as she could be a
very useful asset.
At full strength they look a good team on paper…..but cricket isn’t played on
paper.
Last Year’s League Position : 7th This Year’s League Position
: 3rd
Squad : Em Arlott, Meg Austin, Hannah Baker, Chloe Brewer, Georgia Davis,
Bethan Ellis, Abbey Freeborn, Katie George, Charis Paveley, Davina Perrin, Georgia
Redmayne, Alexa Stonehouse, Amu Surenkumar, Mary Taylor, Millie Taylor, Issy
Wong, Nat Wraith
INS : Mary Taylor (Hants), Alexa Stonehouse (on loan from Surrey)
OUTS : Hannah Hardwick (Hampshire)
England contracted : Em Arlott; Issy Wong
Overseas : Georgia Redmayne (until the end of July)
---------------
YORKSHIRE
Having been the only professional team in Tier 2 last year Yorkshire will
have been disappointed to have finished only fourth in the table, losing four
of their nine games. They did however go on to win the final in a match reduced
to 20 overs.
Leg spinner Olivia Thomas was their leading wicket-taker last year, but the
transition to a higher standard may prove tricky for her. Jessica Woolston was
their leading seamer and a lot will be asked of her this season too.
Senior pros Lauren Winfield-Hill and Aussie recruit Jess Jonassen are going to
have to do a lot of the heavy lifting, but two players nearing the end of their
careers have their limitations. Should either get injured Yorkshire will be in
a whole heap of trouble (or maybe that should be an even bigger heap of
trouble).
It is difficult to see them winning many games, even when new recruit Sarah
Glenn is available.
Last Year’s League Position : 4th in Tier 2 This Year’s
League Position : 9th
Squad : Ami Campbell, Claudie Cooper, Rebecca Duckworth, Ria Fackrell,
Sarah Glenn, Grace Hall, Jess Jonassen, Sterre Kalis, Beth Langston, Hannah
Rainey, Rachel Slater, Erin Thomas, Olivia Thomas, Madie Ward, Lauren
Winfield-Hill, Jessica Woolston
INS : Sarah Glenn (The Blaze)
OUTS : None known
England contracted : Sarah Glenn
Scottish : Hannah Rainey
Overseas : Jess Jonassen, Sterre Kalis
Martin Davies
05/IV/2026
