Women’s T20 Blast 2026 round-up: Surrey, Essex, The Blaze win opening matches

Surrey won 11 and lost just one of their 14 group matches in 2025 to top the table on their way to winning the inaugural competition.

Smith, who has struggled for runs in the One-Day Cup, hit three sixes and 10 fours at the top of the order, while Alice Davidson-Richards provided great support with an unbeaten 47 and sealed victory with a six.

Warwickshire, beaten by Surrey in last year’s final, posted 164-8 in their 20 overs against Essex, with opener Abbey Freeborn making 86 not out off 56 balls.

However, a second-wicket stand of 119 between Alice Macleod (59) and Cordelia Griffith (68) helped the hosts to victory with more than five overs to spare.

All-rounder Charli Knott marked her debut for The Blaze with a 29-ball 57 in their home win against Yorkshire.

Her in-form fellow Australian Jess Jonassen hit 52 from 29 balls as Yorkshire posted a challenging target of 180, but Knott helped ensure The Blaze were always in contention.

Sarah Bryce’s nerve under pressure, with 17 needed from the last two overs, was key as the Scotland wicketkeeper hit three boundaries in an unbeaten 28 to guide Blaze home with three balls to spare.

In Friday’s four matches, Hampshire were the only team that batted second and failed to win.

Needing 160 to beat Somerset after Ella McCaughan made 69 off 46 balls for the home side, they appeared to be on course for victory until the home side staged a spirited fightback with the ball, led by Niamh Holland, who returned career-best figures of 4-21.

The visitors required a frenetic unbroken stand of 20 in eight deliveries from Rhianna Southby and Abi Norgrove to bring the scores level in a dramatic finish.