Grace Harris stars as Surrey beat Warwickshire to clinch Women’s T20 Blast 2025 title

Grace Harris stars as Surrey beat Warwickshire to clinch Women’s T20 Blast 2025 title

After a gripping season filled with dramatic twists, powerful performances, and rising stars, Surrey Women etched their name in history books by clinching their first-ever Vitality Blast title in 2025. A commanding all-round performance on home soil at the iconic Kia Oval saw them defeat a strong Warwickshire Women’s side by a comfortable margin, capping off a near-perfect season in style.

Backed by a roaring crowd and brimming with confidence, Surrey delivered a clinical display with both bat and ball, proving why they had been the team to beat throughout the tournament. Having lost just one match during the league stage, their victory was not just dominant—it was deserved.

Warwickshire’s Wobbly Start: Batting Collapse Despite Late Resistance

The final began with Surrey winning the toss and electing to bowl first, a move that immediately paid dividends. The decision to put Warwickshire under pressure early on was clearly tactical—Surrey’s bowling attack, led by the ever-consistent Alexa Stonehouse, has been a lethal weapon all season, and they didn’t disappoint on the big stage.

Warwickshire’s openers, Meg Austin and Davina Perrin, both in fine touch through the season, failed to fire when it mattered most. The duo fell cheaply inside the first five overs, unable to get past the guile of Stonehouse and Phoebe Franklin, who maintained an impeccable line and length.

That early damage left Warwickshire reeling at 31 for 2, and the nerves were evident. But there was a flicker of hope when Issy Wong, usually known for her pace bowling, walked out at number three and played a gritty knock. Though not explosive, her intent to stabilize the innings was evident, and she stitched together a crucial stand that temporarily halted Surrey’s surge.

But the innings never really took off.

Regular wickets at key moments ensured Warwickshire never found the rhythm needed in a high-stakes final. Surrey’s bowlers were relentless—Franklin and Stonehouse each picked up two wickets, while the entire attack maintained pressure through dot balls and clever field placements. The moment that turned the tide, however, came from the field.

A lightning-fast run-out of Sterre Kalis, who had been Warwickshire’s reliable middle-order anchor all season, shifted the game decisively in Surrey’s favour. With Kalis gone, Warwickshire’s innings stuttered again.

Despite the collapse, a valiant cameo from Laura Harris, who blazed her way to 25 off just 11 balls, added some respectability to the total. Her fearless strokeplay—including a four and two sixes—pushed the score beyond the 150 mark. Millie Taylor’s composed 20 also helped push the total to 154 for 8 at the end of the 20 overs.

Surrey’s Clinical Bowling: Strategy, Execution, and Pressure

Much of Surrey’s campaign has been built around the discipline and depth of their bowling unit. In this final, that strength shone once again.

Stonehouse’s early breakthroughs set the tone, but it was Phoebe Franklin’s intelligent variations and pressure-building spells that suffocated Warwickshire in the middle overs. Captain Bryony Smith, although wicketless, used her bowlers with strategic brilliance—rotating them well and ensuring Warwickshire never found any real breathing room.

The fielding, often an underappreciated component, was nothing short of world-class. The run-out of Kalis, initiated by a diving stop and a pinpoint throw, showcased not just individual brilliance but team coordination and commitment to the cause.

By the time Warwickshire crossed the 150-run mark, the total already felt slightly underwhelming given Surrey’s explosive top order—and that feeling was vindicated shortly after the innings break.

Grace Harris Storm: Surrey’s Powerhouse Unleashes Mayhem

The chase began with a sense of calm confidence from the Surrey dugout. A target of 154 in a final isn’t small, but it wasn’t daunting either—especially when you have someone like Grace Harris in your ranks.

The Australian all-rounder, known for her aggressive approach and big-match temperament, turned the final into her personal highlight reel. From the moment she walked to the crease, Harris exuded intent. Picking her spots and capitalizing on every error from the Warwickshire bowlers, she began dismantling the attack with ruthless efficiency.

Boundaries came thick and fast—seven fours and two sixes—as Harris raced to a blistering 63 off just 33 balls. Her timing was exquisite, and her footwork against both pace and spin was a masterclass in controlled aggression. What stood out even more was her ability to rotate the strike between the big shots—keeping the scoreboard ticking at all times.

Her innings effectively killed the game as a contest by the 14th over. By then, Surrey needed just 30 more runs with seven wickets in hand.

Joining Harris in this power-packed chase was Sophia Dunkley, whose quickfire 23 off 18 balls provided the perfect support act. Dunkley has been a consistent performer in crunch games for both club and country, and her ability to handle pressure showed once again.

Though Warwickshire tried to fight back with Emily Arlott and Amu Surenkumar picking up two wickets each, the damage had already been done. Even their most trusted pacer, Issy Wong, couldn’t stem the run flow, while Hannah Baker’s spin failed to contain Harris’s onslaught.

Surrey coasted to the target with eight balls to spare, finishing at 155 for 5, and the Kia Oval erupted in celebration.

Player of the Match: Grace Harris, the Inevitable Gamechanger

There was little doubt over the Player of the Match choice. Grace Harris’s 63 (33) was a match-defining innings in every sense. She didn’t just guide Surrey to the title—she dominated from the front, absorbing the pressure of a final and turning it into a showcase of batting brilliance.

Her aggressive yet smart approach has been a hallmark throughout the tournament, but in the final, she elevated it to another level. For a team looking for their first title, Harris’s contribution was priceless.

A Campaign to Remember: Surrey’s Road to Glory

Surrey Women’s 2025 Vitality Blast campaign has been a story of consistency, strategy, and hunger. Under the leadership of Bryony Smith, the team showed early promise in the group stages and only grew stronger as the tournament progressed.

With the likes of Stonehouse, Franklin, Harris, Dunkley, and Smith firing consistently, the team had both balance and depth. They were the only side to lose just one match during the season—a testament to their form and focus.

Off the field, too, the camaraderie and team culture built over the last few seasons finally bore fruit. Credit must go to the support staff and coaches, who’ve worked behind the scenes to create a unit that thrives under pressure.

Warwickshire’s Spirited Run Ends in Final Heartbreak

For Warwickshire Women, the final will sting. They had a fantastic run to the summit clash and were tipped by many to lift the trophy, especially after their strong semi-final showing. However, the top order’s failure in the final and a lack of penetration with the ball exposed their vulnerabilities.

That said, the campaign saw emerging stars like Davina Perrin and Amu Surenkumar shine, and players like Laura Harris continue to enhance their reputation as game-changers. With a young core and strong leadership, Warwickshire are likely to bounce back stronger in the next season.

The Verdict: A Landmark Moment in Surrey’s Cricketing History

The 2025 Vitality Blast final was more than just a match—it was a moment of arrival for Surrey Women. A team often considered underachievers on the big stage finally lived up to their potential with a performance that blended professionalism, flair, and fearlessness.

Their maiden title win not only crowns them as the best T20 side of the season but also lays down a marker for seasons to come. With a well-rounded squad, growing fan base, and a brand of cricket that excites, Surrey Women are officially a powerhouse in domestic T20 cricket.

Final Score Summary:

Warwickshire Women: 154/8 (20 overs)

  • Laura Harris 25 (11), Millie Taylor 20 (17)

  • Alexa Stonehouse 2/27, Phoebe Franklin 2/22

Surrey Women: 155/5 (18.4 overs)

  • Grace Harris 63 (33), Sophia Dunkley 23 (18)

  • Emily Arlott 2/28, Amu Surenkumar 2/34

Player of the Match: Grace Harris (Surrey)

As the sun set over the Kia Oval and confetti rained down, Surrey Women lifted the Vitality Blast trophy amid thunderous applause. This wasn’t just a win—it was a statement.

The queens of 2025 have arrived.

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