Preview: Aussie Harris and Wong in Blast squad for Blaze

Big-hitting Australian Laura Harris is expected to make her Bears Women debut as the Vitality Blast gets underway at Trent Bridge tomorrow (30 May, 2.30pm).

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2025-05-29T15:47:14.000Z

Big-hitting Australian Laura Harris is expected to make her Bears Women debut as the Vitality Blast gets underway at Trent Bridge tomorrow (30 May, 2.30pm).

T20 specialist Harris – who’s played in The Hundred and is a veteran of the Aussie Big Bash league having made 123 appearances – is included in a 14-strong squad for Bears Women’s trip to The Blaze.

The squad also includes England seamer Issy Wong who returns from international duty having played in two of the three recent IT20s against West Indies Women.

Harris landed in Birmingham last weekend. She’s earmarked the two Blast clashes against Surrey Women – who signed her Australian international sister Grace Harris for the summer – as standout games on the calendar.

She’s also keen to explore the city…and has penciled in a visit to the Sea Life centre!

“It’s my first time really in Birmingham,” said the 34-year-old opening batter. “I’ve had a couple of overnight stays in the city with The Hundred but that’s all. I’m excited to see what’s here and do some exploring. There’s a Sealife centre which I’ll have to visit.

“It’s been great to join up with the squad and there’s a buzz around getting started in the Vitality Blast as it’s a new comp.

“I know Sterre Kalis – who I call Dutchy – as she came over and played in Queensland for a season. The rest of the team I know little bits and pieces about so it’ll be good to get to know everyone better and understand their games.

“I’m looking forward to playing Surrey in-particular as Grace is playing for them. We love playing together but we also enjoy playing against each other. And after losing the County Cup semi final to them the girls will want some revenge in the Blast.”

Harris is no stranger to cricket in England & Wales having played for three sides in The Hundred – Welsh Fire, Oval Invincibles, and Northern Superchargers – and has a Strike rate of 186.95 in the competition.

She added: “The crowds in the UK are unreal for women’s cricket. England by far has the best atmosphere around games. More girls are playing cricket and there are new comps everywhere so women’s cricket is on the up no doubt.

“It’s great that we’re playing lots of double headers alongside the men at an iconic venue like Edgbaston. They will bring two different styles of crowds together.

“Men’s and women’s games offer fans something different, lots of entertainment, and both are exciting in their own right.”

Squad

Georgia Davis (c)Meg AustinHannah BakerBethan EllisAbbey FreebornKatie GeorgeHannah HardwickLaura HarrisSterre KalisCharis PavelyDavina PerrinAmu SurenkumarIssy WongNat Wraith