The stage is set for a thrilling climax to the inaugural Vitality Blast Women's Finals Day at The Oval on Sunday, July 27, 2025, where Surrey and the Bears will battle for supremacy in a competition that has captivated fans with its high stakes and stellar performances. Surrey, entering the final directly as the top seed with just one loss all season, face a Bears side that has fought through the eliminator to earn their place in this historic event.
Surrey’s dominance throughout the season has been remarkable. The team lost only once, aside from a rain-affected tie against Essex, making them clear favourites on their home turf. Their captain, Bryony Smith, has been a key figure, contributing 225 runs in 13 games at an average of 17.30 and a strike rate of 125.00. Smith’s recent form is promising; she impressed with a blistering 33-ball 62 for an England Development XI against India, a match that concluded just days ago on July 22, 2025. This performance is a precursor to her ambitions for the 2026 T20 World Cup, where she hopes to cement her place in the senior England squad. “I feel like I've not had a real go at it yet,” Smith admitted. “I've been in and out of squads over the years, had that Ireland tour, but only ended up playing two games. So I see myself looking forward to the T20 World Cup next summer and that's something I'm going to aim for.”
Adding firepower to Surrey’s lineup is Danni Wyatt-Hodge, who joined the team this season from the Southern Vipers. Wyatt-Hodge has been a revelation, ranking as the third-highest run-scorer in the competition with 372 runs at an impressive average of 62.00 and an explosive strike rate of 158.29. Her five half-centuries in eight matches, including a top score of 74 not out, have been instrumental in Surrey’s success. Smith praised her teammate’s impact: “We've seen what Danni Wyatt-Hodge has done for us throughout the comp. She played the first eight games for us and was leading run-scorer and to have her in your team is massive, not just with the bat but with the field as well.”
Surrey’s strength lies in their all-round depth and squad unity. Smith highlighted this, saying, “We've had to use a lot of players so far this comp with England duties and England A girls away as well, so it's been a real squad effort. We've got top-class players throughout the order and we have that real trust in each other to go out and play your own game, no matter what the situation.” Their fielding prowess was on full display in a crucial match against The Blaze, where sharp catches and tight ground fielding helped secure a vital win. “You see that Blaze game… our fielders pretty much won us that game. We've got an all-round package and that closeness within the group is something that we really rely on,” Smith added.
The Blaze, who are Surrey’s only conquerors this season, will face the Bears in the semi-final. The Bears, meanwhile, have enjoyed an impressive campaign of their own, finishing third in the Vitality Blast table with eight wins, five losses, and one tie. Their journey to Finals Day has been marked by resilience and standout individual performances, setting the stage for a memorable encounter with The Blaze.
The Bears' campaign began with a dramatic tie against The Blaze, where they posted 160/8 thanks to a solid 75-run partnership between Katie George and Charis Pavely. Despite The Blaze’s strong reply, late wickets ensured the match ended in a draw, showcasing the Bears’ grit early on. They then went on to secure commanding victories over Durham and Somerset, with Davina Perrin and Laura Harris shining with the bat. Perrin’s masterful 87 and Harris’s explosive, record-breaking half-century off just 17 balls propelled the Bears to a 42-run victory over Durham. Harris continued her form with a blistering 77 off 34 balls against Somerset, supported by the spin duo of Millie Taylor and Georgia Davis, who took six wickets between them to dismantle the opposition.
The Bears hit a rich vein of form, winning four consecutive matches against Hampshire, Durham, Essex, and The Blaze. Their win over The Blaze was particularly significant, as it ended the latter’s unbeaten run apart from the opening tie. Sterre Kalis led the batting charge with 54 runs, while returning international Em Arlott’s three late wickets decisively swung the match in the Bears’ favour, sealing a 25-run victory.
Securing their Finals Day spot with a win away at Hampshire, the Bears were again powered by Perrin’s commanding 70 runs and Hannah Baker’s three wickets, including the prized scalp of Ellyse Perry, who scored 58. This victory underscored the Bears’ all-round strength and tactical acumen heading into the finals.
Davina Perrin has been a standout player throughout the competition, amassing 384 runs at a strike rate of 143.28, while Millie Taylor has emerged as a lethal bowler with 19 wickets at an average of 16.10. Taylor’s performances earned her a wildcard selection in The Hundred, highlighting her rapid rise. Bears Head Coach Ali Maiden praised her star players: “Millie said at the start of the season, all she wanted to do was make her debut, and now she’s gone from that to being picked in the Hundred as a wildcard because of how good her performances have been. She’s been unbelievable. She works hard, has a fantastic attitude, and thoroughly deserves it.” Maiden also lauded Perrin’s quality and potential, calling her “right up there” among the best in T20 cricket.
The Bears’ success is a true team effort, with six different players registering half-centuries this season and a combined 55 wickets taken by Hannah Baker, Georgia Davis, and Millie Taylor. Wicketkeeper Nat Wraith has also made a significant impact, recording seven stumpings—the joint-most in the competition. Maiden emphasized the squad’s depth and collective spirit: “If you look at our batting, the top seven have all contributed at some point. We’ve had games where we’ve lost four wickets up front and gone on to post 150+. We never think we’re out of the game, always fighting with everybody contributing. That’s been a big factor.”
Maiden reflected on the challenges overcome during the season, noting, “There’s been parts of the tournament where we’ve played fantastic cricket and got momentum our way and made it look straightforward, but there’s also been times where we’ve hit challenges and had to overcome them.” She praised the team’s humility and quiet confidence, adding, “We know what we can do, we back ourselves, but we’re not arrogant and over the top. We’re confident in what we do because we do it so well.”
As the Vitality Blast Women’s Finals Day approaches, anticipation builds for a gripping conclusion. Surrey’s home advantage and unbeaten record make them formidable opponents, but the Bears’ resilience and balanced squad suggest a fiercely competitive final. Both teams have demonstrated remarkable skill, determination, and teamwork throughout the season, promising a showcase of top-tier women’s cricket that will excite fans and set the tone for the upcoming T20 World Cup season.
With Surrey’s Bryony Smith aiming to break into the England senior side and the Bears’ Millie Taylor making waves with her bowling, this Finals Day is more than just a contest for a trophy—it’s a platform for rising stars to shine on the big stage. The cricket world will be watching closely as these talented teams vie for glory, marking a significant milestone in the growth and recognition of women’s domestic cricket.
