Durham head to The Kia Oval looking to start the Vitality Blast with back-to-back wins, taking on Surrey tomorrow at 6:30pm.
Dani Hazell has named a squad of 14 to take on the Three Feathers including Lauren Filer.
Filer has been released from England’s squad for the first game of their IT20 series with India and has been added to the Durham squad alongside Leah Dobson.
Katherine Fraser has joined up with the Scotland squad for their tri-series ahead of the T20 World Cup next month.
Durham sit mid-table in fifth, having claimed four points from their T20 opener against Hampshire Hawks.
Surrey top the women’s T20 Blast table with nine points from their opening two games, chasing down 186 with six wickets to spare against Lancashire Thunder before taking a four-wicket win over Yorkshire at Headingley.
Words from Hollie Armitage
We’re really happy with the way that we started there against Hampshire, getting the first win on the board at home.
It comes around very fast, so we’ll see what the next one brings.
(On Mady Villiers moving up to opener) Mady takes on the game really well, and you probably can see what my role is, just to bat for that little bit longer. It worked against Hampshire and hopefully we can have lots of success with that for our season.
We’ve got seven bowling options, HG (Heather Graham) coming into our side is a massive win for us, she’s obviously going to bat in them middle overs, but it also provides me an option with the ball in all three phases in the game.
Squad v Surrey (27 May)
Hollie Armitage*, Leah Dobson, Lauren Filer, Abi Glen, Heather Graham, Bess Heath, Trudy Johnson, Katie Levick, Emma Marlow, Mia Rogers, Grace Thompson, Sophia Turner, Mady Villiers, Emily Windsor.
Opposition Corner
Captain: Bryony Smith
Overseas players: Laura Harris (Australia, all)
2025 finish: Winners
2025 leading run-scorer: Danni Wyatt-Hodge (377)
2025 leading wicket-taker: Ryana MacDonald-Gay (15)
Key winter moves: Laura Harris has arrived as the overseas star to fill the void left by her younger sister Grace, who was a huge hit last year. Emma Jones has left for The Blaze while Alexa Stonehouse is on loan at Warwickshire and Tash Farrant has retired. Rachel King and Emily Burke (academy) have joined the squad.
The big question: Surrey are victims of their own success in many ways with four players named in the England squad for the T20 World Cup (more than any other county) and Priyanaz Chatterji called up for Scotland. How will they compensate for the loss of three of their top six and the spin wizardry of Tilly Corteen-Coleman? Opportunity certainly knocks for others.
Wildcard watch: Alice Monaghan – all-rounder Monaghan was just finding her way into the team during last season’s tournament but appears much more of a fixture now. A more than useful seamer, Monaghan will also be needed to fill one of the voids in the top order, and she’s also shown herself to be one of the team’s top fielders.
Final thought: Surrey carried an aura of invincibility in last year’s tournament but look more vulnerable now. Laura Harris doesn’t have the all-round versatility of sister Grace, but boasted a strike-rate of 207 last year. Two players conspicuous by their absence so far this season may be crucial to hopes of repeat success.
Match Centre
The Club’s match centre will be in operation for the fixture with live scorecards, statistics & video highlights as they happen. You can watch the game live via Durham’s match centre and Surrey’s YouTube channel. Durham Cricket will have full coverage on social media, with a full match report at the close.