As the Women’s T20 Blast 2025 gathers momentum, all eyes turn to the highly anticipated clash between Birmingham Bears and Durham. This game is set to showcase the evolving strength of women’s county cricket, with both sides eager to make an early statement in the competition. The match promises a blend of emerging talent and established international stars, reflecting the growing depth and excitement of the tournament.
Durham Women enter the contest bolstered by the recruitment of New Zealand’s Suzie Bates, whose all-round prowess adds firepower to a lineup already featuring England’s Mady Villiers, captain Hollie Armitage, and the dynamic duo of Lauren Filer and Bess Heath.
Their balanced squad is expected to challenge Bears resolve, especially with a strong core of experienced campaigners and promising youngsters. Meanwhile, Warwickshire will look to leverage their own mix of youth and experience, aiming to disrupt Durham’s rhythm and secure vital points in the early stages of the tournament.
Squads:
Birmingham Bears Women’s Cricket Team
Chloe Brewer, Meg Austin, Amuruthaa Surenkumar, Bethan Ellis, Charis Pavely, Davina Perrin, Abbey Freeborn, Natasha Wraith, Emily Arlott, Georgia Davis, Hannah Baker, Hannah Hardwick, Hannah Rainey, Issy Wong, Katie George, Millie Taylor
Durham Women’s Cricket Team
Emily Windsor, Emma Marlow, Hollie Armitage, Leah Dobson, Suzie Bates, Katherine Fraser, Mady Villiers, Trudy Johnson, Bess Heath, Mia Rogers, Abigail Glen, Katie Levick, Lauren Filer, Lizzie Scott, Phoebe Turner, Sophia Turner
Players to watch out:
Abigail Freeborn
The keeper-batter in The Hundred has scored 157 runs in 17 innings across 27 games, with a strike rate of 103.97 and the highest score of 45*. She has also been consistent behind the stumps with gloves in hand, contributing with catches and stumpings. She has scored heavily in her recent appearances in the shortest format, indicating a solid hunger for impactful runs for her side. She will be a key player for Bears women in the tournament going ahead.
Hannah Baker
Hannah Baker is a right-arm leg-spinner known for her consistent wicket-taking ability. In The Hundred, she has claimed 13 wickets in 22 matches, averaging 28.46 and a strike rate of 23.4, her best figures being 2/20. In her recent games, she has shown glimpses of improvement, even though it doesn’t reflect as much as she would have liked in her match figures with the ball for her side, but an exciting prospect.
Suzie Bates
The 37-year-old all-rounder has established herself as one of the most consistent and prolific batters in women’s T20 cricket. In 171 WT20Is, she has scored 4,716 runs, at an average of 29.11, with a strike rate of 108.58, and notched up 28 fifties and one century. In her last 5 T20I innings, she has scored 111 runs and continues to keep the scoreboard ticking. Durham will count on her to continue her good run throughout the tournament.
Mady Villiers
Mady Villiers, a right-arm off-spinning all-rounder, has taken 17 wickets for England in 19 T20Is at an average of 16.58 and economy of 6.66, with best figures of 3/10. She has scored 52 runs in six T20I innings at a strike rate of 167.74, with a highest score of 35. In The Hundred, she has played 33 games for Oval Invincibles, taking 20 wickets and scoring 129 runs. Durham Women would want Mady to convert her past success in the tournament going ahead.
Pitch:
Edgbaston dishes a hard, bouncy surface made from a blend of clay and grass, typically favouring both aggressive batting and fast bowling, especially in the early stages of a match. The consistent bounce allows batters to play their shots freely, while seamers can exploit extra movement. Over time, as the pitch wears, spinners may find more assistance.
Weather:
Expect partly sunny and warm conditions, with temperatures between 16–18°C and a slight chance of light rain (10–20% probability). Humidity will be high (74–87%) and there will be a moderate breeze (19–24 km/h), but overall, the weather should be pleasant and suitable for cricket.
Fantasy Playing XI:
Hollie Armitage, Suzie Bates, Bess Heath, Lauren Filer, Phoebe Turner, Sophia Turner, Bethan Ellis, Davina Perrin, Abbey Freeborn, Natasha Wraith, Emily Arlott, Issy Wong
Match details:
Date – May 31, 2025
Time – 4:30 PM IST
Venue – Edgbaston Cricket Ground, Birmingham
Broadcast – The game will be live-streamed on the FanCode app and website.
