Bears Women v Hampshire (h): Vitality Blast preview

Warwickshire Bears Women will be looking to finish their 2026 Vitality Blast campaign with a win, as they entertain Hampshire in their final fixture of the tournament.

2026-07-09T19:00+01:00

The match is part of a huge double-header at Edgbaston, with the women’s game starting at 3:00pm before the men play Glamorgan at 7:00pm.

Ahead of Bears Women’s final game in the competition, here’s what you need to know…

Team news

Bears Women have named a 13-player squad for the visit of Hampshire, with the playing XI to be announced at the toss.

Katie George, Georgia Redmayne, Amu Surenkumar, Sophie Beech, Charis Pavely, Chloe Brewer, Em Arlott, Mary Taylor, Millie Taylor, Hannah Baker, Phoebe Brett, Abbey Freeborn, Nat Wraith

Current form

Having won three games in a row in impressive fashion, Bears Women have since lost back-to-back games against Yorkshire and Surrey, so will be looking to bounce back in front of home support on Friday.

For the visit of Yorkshire to Edgbaston, the Bears battled with the ball and took it down to the wire before the White Rose got over the line with three balls remaining. Against Surrey, the Bears came up against an inspired Laura Harris who equalled the fastest half-century in Women's T20 history.

Hampshire are the form side in the Blast and arrive at Edgbaston knowing their place in the semi-finals is already guaranteed. They currently top the table having won seven of their last eight games. It’s the way in which they’ve won that has been most impressive though. Amongst those wins, they have won by eight wickets, eight wickets, nine wickets, 55 runs and 42 runs. It should be a fascinating clash at Edgbaston.

Previous meetings

The Bears and Hampshire played out two hard-fought fixtures in the inaugural season of the women’s Blast last season, with the Bears winning on both occasions. There wasn’t much between the two teams in either game though.

At Edgbaston, 50 from Meg Austin at the top of the order helped the Bears set Hampshire 179 for victory, before the Bears attack restricted Hampshire to 165 for seven to win by 13 runs.

In the return fixture in Southampton, the Bears batted first again as Davina Perrin struck a scintillating 70 off 48 balls as they reached 165 for nine. In reply, 58 from Ellyse Perry couldn’t see the hosts over the line, with Hannah Baker the pick of the Bears bowlers, taking three for 18 as Hampshire ended on 149 for six.

This will be the first time the two teams have met this season.

Players to watch

Charis Pavely

Charis Pavely returned to the Bears line-up on Wednesday after impressing for England A in their recent One Day series against India A. Across three fixtures for the three lions, she struck two 50s, and made an instant impact in her return to the Blast on Wednesday, scoring an unbeaten 45.

Abbey Freeborn

With three 50s in her last five outings in the Blast, Abbey Freeborn is arguably in the form of her life. She has made telling contributions at the top of the order for the Bears at crucial moments this season and is currently the second highest run-scorer in the competition.

Georgia Adams (Hampshire)

All-rounder Georgia Adams produced with both bat and ball in Hampshire’s latest victory. The Hawks’ captain scored a 30-ball 49 at the top of the order before producing a devastating, match-winning spell with the ball, taking four for 16 from her four overs.