The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has officially launched the first-ever Women’s T20 County Cup, marking a historic step forward for women’s domestic cricket in the UK. The tournament began on May 5, 2025, and will run until May 26, featuring 37 county teams from across England and Wales.

This is the first national short-format competition of its kind specifically for women at the county level, and it runs alongside the existing Women’s County Championship (50-over format).

📍 Tournament Format

• Type: Twenty20 (T20)
• Teams: 37 counties
• Structure:
  • Divided into regional groups (e.g., North, South East, South West, Midlands, etc.)
  • Round-robin group matches
  • Top teams from each group advance to knockout rounds
  • Finals Day: May 26, 2025

Matches are being held across various grounds, including traditional county venues and regional development hubs.

🧠 Why This Tournament Matters

The Women’s T20 County Cup is designed to:

• Provide consistent match exposure for female cricketers at grassroots and semi-professional levels
• Bridge the gap between club-level and The Hundred / regional teams
• Strengthen the player pipeline for future England internationals
• Expand visibility and support for women’s cricket at the county level

🌟 Players to Watch

• Grace Scrivens (Kent) – One of the youngest captains in county history
• Rhianna Southby (Surrey) – Wicketkeeper-batter with consistent T20 performances
• Freya Kemp (Sussex) – Left-arm pace all-rounder, England prospect
• Emma Marlow (Yorkshire) – Emerging off-spinner with regional experience

The tournament also includes former England internationals playing in support and mentorship roles.

🗣️ ECB Statement

“We’re thrilled to launch the Women’s T20 County Cup — a critical step in our long-term vision for the women’s game. With 37 counties participating, this is about creating deeper competition and greater opportunity.”
— Clare Connor, ECB Managing Director of Women’s Cricket

📺 How to Follow

• Live updates via county cricket Twitter/X accounts
• Scores and stats available on ECB’s Play-Cricket platform
• Selected match highlights via YouTube and county websites
• Finals Day expected to be streamed live via ECB channels

The launch of this tournament is seen as a significant milestone in the continued growth and professionalization of women’s cricket in the UK.