A new era for women’s cricket: How the Vitality Blast is changing the game

For the first time ever, the Vitality Blast, England and Wales’s premier domestic T20 cricket competition, is hosting a women’s tournament, marking a major milestone in closing the sport’s gender play gap.

Vitality research into women in sport shows that just 4% of women take part in team sports and fewer than one in four UK women meet the NHS recommended physical activity guidelines.

In light of these findings, the latest episode of Changing the Game – Vitality’s YouTube series, championing progress in sport – explores how greater inclusion in cricket is more than symbolic; it’s a powerful drive for change.

We filmed at Edgbaston, the iconic home of the Vitality Blast and Warwickshire County Cricket Club, where host and Vitality Ambassador, Isa Guha, sat down with professional cricketers Phoebe Graham, Freya Davies, Mady Villiers, alongside Beth Barrett-Wild, Director of the Women’s Professional Game at the England and Wales Cricket Board, and grassroot players, to discuss how the gender play gap is narrowing – and how Vitality is helping in driving that momentum.

Prepare to be inspired and watch the full episode below or via the Vitality UK YouTube channel:

“The Vitality Blast will be significant for women’s cricket, marking a major step forward in the sport’s development,” says Guha.

“[The Blast] is part of a broader movement to increase visibility, professionalism and reach.”

And progress is already underway. In the last five years, the number of professional female cricketers has soared, creating more role models and paving the way for future players.

According to the Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA), there’s been a staggering 538% increase in professional women cricketers since 2020.

By putting women’s cricket on a bigger stage within one of the UK’s biggest tournaments, the Vitality Blast is not only raising visibility but helping to redefine what’s possible for women in sport.

“It’s exciting to be on the same stage as the boys and show them what we can do,” says Davies, who is taking to the field for Hampshire Cricket Club this summer.

Meanwhile, Beth Barrett-Wild, Director of Women’s Professional Game England and Wales cricket board, outlines her ambitions for the sport in the latest episode.

“The ambition for women’s cricket is for it to be as big, bold and brilliant as it possibly can be.

“We want to see sold out crowds, people really falling in love with the players, with the game, and really caring about women’s cricket.”

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Connecting to the game

The introduction of the women’s game to the Vitality Blast marks another step forward for the game and one that fans, players and communities can all be proud of.

“I think it’ll help step change the game once again, allowing a platform for domestic players to perform, step up get gigs for the hundred and then perform on the national stage,” says Graham, cricket player for Lancashire Thunder.

By adapting, evolving and creating more opportunities for people to enjoy cricket, this aims to get people active and help them connect with others through team sport.

And while there’s more to do, it’s encouraging to see momentum building and support growing for the women’s game.

So, when all eyes turn to the crease this summer, it won’t just be to watch who scores the most runs.

Cricket fans – new and seasoned – will get to see some of the best female cricket players competing on a bigger stage, including our very own Vitality Ambassadors Nat Sciver-Brunt, Heather Knight and Sophia Dunkley.

Related: Celebrating the sport sisterhood