In a groundbreaking move for cricket, women’s teams have officially aligned with their male counterparts as the fixtures for the 2025 T20 Blast season have been unveiled. This integration marks a significant milestone, showcasing the growing recognition and support for women’s cricket within the sport.
The upcoming season promises to be an exciting one, featuring 52 back-to-back double bills of men’s and women’s matches. Every first-class county will host at least one of these events, reflecting a commitment to inclusivity and visibility in the sport.
The revamped competition will kick off with the “Blast-Off” weekend starting on Thursday, 29 May. Notably, the Kia Oval will host its inaugural Women’s Finals Day on Sunday, 27 July, while Men’s Finals Day is set for Saturday, 13 September at Edgbaston.
The decision to refer to Edgbaston simply as “the Bears” signifies a potential return to the Warwickshire name in T20 cricket after more than a decade under the Birmingham Bears moniker.
Both the men’s and women’s competitions will feature a variety of teams from across England and Wales:
North Group: Bears, Derbyshire Falcons, Durham, Lancashire Lightning, Leicestershire Foxes, Northamptonshire Steelbacks, Notts Outlaws, Worcestershire Rapids, Yorkshire Vikings.
South Group: Essex, Glamorgan, Gloucestershire, Hampshire Hawks, Kent Spitfires, Middlesex, Somerset, Sussex Sharks, Surrey.
North Group: Derbyshire Falcons, Leicestershire Foxes, Northamptonshire Steelbacks, Worcestershire Rapids, Yorkshire.
South Group: Glamorgan, Gloucestershire, Kent, Middlesex, Sussex Sharks.
As cricket continues to evolve with this historic alignment between men’s and women’s leagues, fans can look forward to an enriched experience in 2025. The growing integration not only enhances competition but also promotes equality and visibility within sports—a crucial step towards a more inclusive future in cricket.
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