The 2nd semi-final of the Women’s One Day Cup 2025 promised another intriguing battle between Bryony Smith-led Surrey and Hampshire, led by skipper Georgia Adams, at the Rose Bowl, Southampton. Hampshire topped the table with 45 points from 14 games, including 9 victories, a couple of defeats, and a couple of washed-out games in the league stages of the tournament. Surrey finished 4th with 34 points from 14 games, including 6 wins, 5 defeats and a couple of washed-out games in the league stages.
The first semi-final saw a humdinger of a contest, securing Lancashire’s Finals berth with a tense five-run win against The Blaze.
Twin fifties from Alice Monaghan and Kira Chathli guide Surrey to 287
Hampshire started with a bang, removing the opposition skipper, Bryony Smith, in the 4th over of the innings, after she won the toss and opted to bat first. Emma Jones partnered with Alice Monaghan to lead the much-needed recovery for Surrey, with a crucial 81-run partnership for the 2nd wicket. Just when things seemed to be back on track for Surrey, they lost the wickets of both their set batters, Emma Jones (33 off 37 balls) and Alice Monaghan (55 off 68 balls) in quick succession, reducing them to 105/3 in the 20th over of the innings.
Wicket-keeper batter Kira Chathli and Alice Davidson-Richards ensured a smooth and resilient rebuilding phase with another vital 89-run partnership for the 4th wicket, which took them closer to the 200-run mark. Hampshire yet again managed to strike at the right time as Naomi Dattani removed Alice Davidson-Richards (42 off 51 balls) in the 37th over of the innings.
Another vital 60-run stand between Phoebe Franklin (23 off 22 balls) and Kira Chathli gave them a solid platform for a strong finish, the pair took them closer to the 260-run mark. Just as Kira Chathli was gradually changing gears Bex Tyson sent her back to the pavilion 81 (76 balls) in the 44th over of the innings, to provide the 5th breakthrough for Hampshire.
The lower order failed to provide the finishing touches, as Surrey eventually got bundled out for 287, with seven balls to spare. Jemima Spence (14 off 9 balls) played her part with the bat for Surrey. The innings had 23 extras. Freya Davies (9.5-0-39-4), and Bex Tyson (10-0-39-2) were the stand-out performers with the ball for Hampshire. Mary Taylor (10-1-49-1), and Naomi Dattani (7-0-47-1) played their part with the ball for their side.
Georgia Adams leads with a century to help Hampshire seal the finals berth
Chasing a challenging total of 288, the Hampshire openers wicket-keeper batter Rhianna Southby and Maia Bouchier got their side off to a steady start with a 21-run opening partnership. Surrey struck twice to bring them back into the contest, removing both the openers in quick succession.
Freya Kemp joined skipper Georgia Adams at the crease, and the duo led some sort of a recovery with a much-needed 66-run partnership for the 3rd wicket, Freya Kemp threw the counter-attacking punches which took them closer to the 100-run mark. Kalea Moore broke the stand, by sending the ominous Freya Kemp (50 off 29 balls) back to the pavilion in the 12th over of the run chase. She completed a fantastic half-century, infusing momentum into the innings for Hampshire before getting dismissed.
After her departure, Hampshire kept losing wickets at regular intervals, finding themselves 133/5 in the 20th over of the run chase. Naomi Dattani joined skipper Georgia Adams at the crease, and the pair revived the run chase with a much-needed 53-run partnership for the 6th wicket. Naomi Dattani (22 off 41 balls) departed in the 31st over of the chase, with her side inching closer to the 200-run mark. Alice Davidson-Richards provided the breakthrough for Surrey.
With 102 runs still required, it was still an uphill task, when Mary Taylor joined skipper Georgia Adams at the crease. The pair displayed great character, to weather the storm and, the duo broke down the total chunk by chunk to ease their way into the run chase. A spirited display ensured Hampshire got over the line courtesy of an unbeaten 104-run stand for the 7th wicket, sealing the contest with 4 wickets in hand and 17 balls to spare.
Skipper Georgia Adams registered her impressive century (107* off 101 balls), and Mary Taylor (60* off 64 balls) notched up a gritty half-century to guide their side over the line. Kalea Moore (10-1-43-2), and Alice Davidson-Richards (6.1-0-37-1) were impressive with the ball for Surrey. Alice Monaghan (7-0-46-1), Alexa Stonehouse (7-0-49-1), and Priyanaz Chatterji (8-0-38-0) played their part with the ball for their side.
The win ensured that Hampshire booked their berth in the grand finale alongside Lancashire on 21st September 2025 from 3 PM IST at the Rose Bowl, Southampton.
