English domestic white-ball cricket is in for its biggest shake-up in years, with sweeping changes coming to the men’s and women’s Vitality Blast and the Women’s Metro Bank One-Day Cup from 2026. The reforms, backed by a two-thirds majority of the 18 first-class counties and shaped with input from the Professional Cricketers’ Association, aim to improve player welfare, reduce travel demands, and sharpen the competitive edge of county cricket.

While the white-ball roadmap is now clear, the men’s County Championship remains under review, with counties yet to agree on the best way forward. A decision is expected before the competition resumes in September.

Men’s Vitality Blast Gets Shorter, Sharper

From 2026, the men’s Vitality Blast group stage will shrink from 14 to 12 matches per team. The competition will revert to the three regional groups of six used in the COVID-hit 2020 season, with each county playing 10 matches against group rivals and two additional fixtures against one side from another group.

The aim is to concentrate the schedule into a block format and complete the tournament by July, before The Hundred begins. Organisers believe the move will make local derbies more intense, improve crowd appeal, and give players more breathing room in a packed summer.

New Men’s Blast Format (From 2026):

County Championship Future Still Unsettled

The red-ball competition remains a sticking point, with three formats under discussion:

Talks will resume later this summer, with promotion/relegation tweaks also on the table.

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Women’s Competitions Get a Boost

The women’s game is also undergoing a structural upgrade, particularly at the top level. Tier 1 of the Women’s Vitality Blast will expand from eight to nine teams with Yorkshire’s addition, while Tier 2 will move to a single national group to create more balanced competition. The Tier 1 schedule will be trimmed to 12 matches, but the top four will now contest two semi-finals before the final, rather than just one semi-final.

Women’s Vitality Blast Changes (From 2026):

The Women’s Metro Bank One-Day Cup will also see tweaks. Tier 1 will move to a 16-match season, with an eliminator replacing the second semi-final, while Tier 2 will be shortened to 8 matches, with each side facing each other once.

ECB Welcomes Changes

ECB chief executive Richard Gould praised the counties for taking ownership of the reform process. “It’s important we keep evolving domestic cricket to make it the best it can be for players, fans, and the game’s future,” he said.

Beth Barrett-Wild, the ECB’s director of the women’s professional game, said the changes were made with player input and will be reviewed before the 2027 season, when Glamorgan is due to join Tier 1.

Professional Game Committee chair Mark McCafferty described the Blast changes as “a springboard to further investment” that would improve derby intensity and ease pressure on players in a congested summer calendar.

SOM-W vs BLA-W Match Preview

The Somerset women will face the Blaze women in the 52nd Vitality Blast Women 2025 match on Wednesday at Taunton's Cooper Associates County Ground. Somerset women will be looking for a consolation win after losing ten of their eleven matches this season. The Blaze women, on the other hand, defeated Essex by 35 runs, thanks to standout performances from Heather Graham, Kathryn Bryce, Sarah Glenn, and Kirstie Gordon. With this win, the Blaze women have moved up to second place in the league table.

SOM-W vs BLA-W Match Details 

Somerset Women vs The Blaze Women – 52th Match, Women's Vitality Blast T20, 2025

Venue: The Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton

Date & Time: 16th June 2025 at 10:30 PM IST

Live Streaming: FanCode

SOM-W vs BLA-W Venue Stats

SOM-W vs BLA-W Pitch Report

The pitch at Providence Stadium has a tendency to grip, particularly early on, making spinners useful. Batters require time to adjust before going hard

SOM-W vs BLA-W Weather Report

Guyana's weather is expected to be rainy, with 94% chance of showers throughout the day. 

SOM-W vs BLA-W Last Five Matches

SOM-W vs BLA-W Head-to-Head Stats

Injury News

No Injury. Will be added when there is an update.

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SOM-W vs BLA-W Probable Playing XIs:

Somerset Women Probable Playing XIs

The Blaze Women Probable Playing XIs

Kirstie Gordon (c), Georgia Elwiss, Kathryn Bryce, Sarah Bryce, Heather Graham, Ella Claridge, Michaela Kirk, Josie Groves, Sarah Glenn, Lucy Higham, Cassidy McCarthy

Topmost Picks for SOM-W vs BLA-W Dream11 Prediction:

Top Picks – Somerset Women

• Amanda Jade Wellington – Amanda Jade Wellington scored 21 runs off 14 balls, hitting 4 fours, at a strike rate of 150.38.
• Erin Vukusic –  Erin Vukusic bowled 4 overs, conceding 37 runs and taking 2 wickets, at an economy rate of 9.25.

Top Picks – The Blaze Women

• Heather Graham – Heather Graham scored 33 runs off 23 balls, hitting 3 fours, at a strike rate of 143.94. 
• Kirstie Gordon –  Kirstie Gordon bowled 4 overs, conceding 23 runs and taking 4 wickets, at an economy rate of 5.75.

Suggested Playing XI N0.1 for SOM-W vs BLA-W Dream11 Team:

Sarah Bryce, Rebecca Odgers, Fran Wilson, Amanda-Jade Wellington, Georgia Elwiss, Kathryn Bryce(C), Heather Graham(VC), Alex Griffiths, Chloe Skelton, Josie Groves, Sarah Glenn

Women's T20 Blast 2025 SOM-W vs BLA-W Match Captain and Vice Captain choice for GL:

Captain – Kathryn Bryce, Khaled Ahmed

Vice-captain – Heather Graham, Azmatullah Omarzai

SOM-W vs BLA-W Probable Winners:

Based on their current form, the Blaze women are likely to win their match against the Somerset women. With Kathryn Bryce, Georgia Elwiss, and Kirstie Gordon in outstanding form this season, the team's management will be hoping for a dominant performance with bat and ball in this match. Considering the team combination, The Blaze Women is expected to win this match.