🏏 Inaugural Women’s T20 County Cup Begins in England

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has officially launched the first-ever Women’s T20 County Cup, a landmark domestic competition aimed at developing and strengthening grassroots women’s cricket across the country. The tournament began on May 5, 2025, and will run until May 26, featuring 37 county teams in a competitive Twenty20 format.

This inaugural edition marks a historic step forward in the ECB’s women’s cricket strategy, bridging the gap between club cricket and elite-level competitions such as The Hundred and the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy.

📍 Tournament Format

Competition Type: T20 (Twenty20)
Teams: 37 counties
Structure:
- Regional group stages (North, South, Midlands, etc.)
- Knockout stage for group winners
- Finals Day: May 26, 2025
Venues: Matches played across local county grounds and club facilities

🎯 Goals of the Competition

Provide consistent T20 match experience for emerging female cricketers
Help selectors identify future talent for regional and national teams
Encourage wider participation and visibility of women’s cricket
Support the ECB’s “Inspiring Generations” initiative to grow the women’s game

🌟 Players to Watch

Grace Scrivens (Kent): All-rounder and rising England prospect
Freya Kemp (Sussex): Left-arm pacer with international experience
Emma Marlow (Yorkshire): Promising off-spinner from the Northern Diamonds setup
Ami Campbell (Northumberland): Veteran batter with regional impact

🗣️ ECB Statement

“This new competition is an exciting and long-overdue addition to the domestic calendar. It strengthens the pathway from recreational to elite-level cricket and gives counties a vital role in the women’s game.”
— Clare Connor, ECB Managing Director of Women’s Cricket

📺 How to Follow the Action

Live scores & stats: ECB’s Play-Cricket platform
Match updates: Via county cricket Twitter/X accounts and websites
Highlights: Select matches to feature on YouTube and ECB digital platforms
Finals Day Coverage: Expected to be live-streamed by ECB

🔮 Looking Ahead

The success of the Women’s T20 County Cup could lead to:

Expansion into a two-division format in 2026
More televised matches and sponsorship opportunities
Enhanced role for counties in women’s cricket development

This tournament is more than just cricket — it’s a statement of growth, inclusion, and opportunity for a new generation of women cricketers across England and Wales.