The Utilita Bowl has long been a stronghold in the women’s game. Charlotte Edwards built it that way — first with Hampshire in the old county championship, then with Southern Vipers and Southern Brave. These were teams that didn’t just win but played with purpose and edge. However, this year feels different.
Edwards has stepped up to the England head coach role, replacing Jon Lewis and the familiar core of players has begun to shift. Charlie Dean, Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Georgia Elwiss, Emily Windsor and Alice Monaghan have all moved on, leaving Hampshire in a period of clear transition; one that strips away much of the spine that helped shape their recent success.
Paul Pritchard has been appointed on an interim basis to take over from Edwards. Promoted from within the setup, his appointment feels like a sensible short-term solution, giving both parties a chance to see where things might lead beyond this season. The signing of Elyse Perry for the Vitality Blast is a significant coup. One of the most respected players in the world game, her experience will be invaluable to what is shaping up to be a youthful Hampshire squad in the shorter format.
While Georgia Adams has captained the Southern Vipers throughout the regional era, it will still feel noteworthy to see her in Hampshire colours. Her long association with Sussex, stretching back to when her dad captained a side that had a fierce rivalry with Hampshire, adds an extra layer to the move. However, in the professional era players are often required to represent teams they might never have imagined playing for. It is part of the shift required to maintain a professional career, and Adams feels like the natural choice to lead this evolving South Coast side. She is a respected figure in the domestic game, having progressed from an enterprising opening batter to a middle-order anchor who contributes handy off-spin, a string to her bow developed on the advice of Edwards.
Hampshire still have England experience in their squad and with Edwards keen to see players perform in domestic competitions, it presents a real chance for some to make a case. Maia Bouchier and Freya Kemp have both shown they can hold their own at international level without quite cementing their spots.
Kemp will need to rediscover her best form with the ball. As powerful as her batting is, she cannot rely solely on it to keep her place in an England side still trying to strike the right balance between bat and ball. As for Bouchier, she needs to be more ruthless; to dominate games in a way that elevates her from useful contributor to match-winner. With Edwards now overseeing things at England, that development may well be within reach.
Lauren Bell is likely to be away with England for large parts of the summer, but as a bowler who can swing the ball as much as she does, early-season rhythm and consistency will be key. A strong start in domestic cricket, away from the scrutiny of the international stage, could benefit everyone.
Then there is Freya Davies, who may be running out of opportunities to show she is still a valuable option for England. She will lead the Hampshire attack and is unlikely to let anyone down in doing so. A strong season in domestic cricket and with her longstanding connection to Edwards, she might just earn her one final shot at international selection.
Linsey Smith, the left-arm spinner, is another with international experience. A bowler who is notoriously hard to score off in domestic cricket, she builds pressure that often leads to wickets, even if she is not the one taking them. She is also a handy batter, but with the Vipers rarely needing to bat deep in recent seasons, her opportunities have been limited. However, with a younger, less experienced top order this year, Smith could find herself promoted up the batting order, where her calm presence might offer some stability.
Another area where Hampshire benefits from experience is behind the stumps. Rhianna Southby is a safe pair of hands whose contributions often go unnoticed which, for a wicketkeeper, is usually a good sign. You tend to only hear about them when things go wrong and Southby rarely has those days. The keeper sets the tone in the field and she does that quietly and effectively.
Naomi Dattani, the left-handed top-order batter, brings further depth. While she may not have fully hit the heights of her potential, she is a reliable performer on the domestic circuit and her useful left-arm seam adds a different dimension to Hampshire’s attack. Dattani is exactly the kind of signing who could help keep Hampshire a team to be feared.
There are also some exciting young players starting to make a name for themselves. Ella McCaughan is a free-scoring batter who will be given more opportunities and responsibility this season. She has the potential to become a consistent match-winner for Hampshire if she can continue her development. Meanwhile, Abi Norgrove has shown early signs of becoming a key batter who scores important runs when needed. Norgrove, who also captained the England Under-19s, has proven herself to be a smart thinker of the game, which is an encouraging sign for her future in the senior ranks.
Hampshire will have all-rounder Charli Knott back for the first part of the season. The 22-year-old Australian enjoyed a fantastic 2024 campaign with the Southern Vipers, scoring runs consistently and taking plenty of wickets. Her performances were exactly the sort of signing that Edwards would have loved, making Knott an invaluable asset under her guidance. While Knott wiil not be available for the whole season, her replacement Perry, is certainly no slouch. The Australian international brings a wealth of experience and is more than capable of filling Knott’s shoes for the remainder of the season.
Key Player
Georgia Adams, the captain, will be central to Hampshire’s campaign. She contributes with both bat and ball, but it is her leadership that might prove most crucial. With a younger, less experienced squad around her, Adams will be expected to set the tone, just as she has done so well in the past. She does have experienced lieutenants in Freya Davies and Linsey Smith, but this season it feels like Adams will have to lead the charge more than ever.
Player to Watch
Mary Taylor is a young bowler who has impressed when thrown into high-pressure situations. Swing bowlers at the start of their careers can sometimes lack consistency, but Taylor already shows signs of control and awareness beyond her years. She mixes her pace well, with a useful variation between slower and quicker balls that suggests a real understanding of her craft. She never looked overawed during her Hundred appearances and with experienced bowlers around her this season, she could quickly build a reputation as one to watch in the domestic game.
How will they fare?
It could be a trophyless season for Hampshire, not for a lack of talent, but because they are a team in transition. While some sides have shifted geographically, but retained a settled squad, Hampshire feel like they are undergoing more change than most. That said, the talent is undeniable. Even players like Ava Lee, who have not yet been mentioned, could have a major say in where the silverware ends up. They will still have a big influence on the season’s outcome even if it is not with a trophy in hand.
Opening fixture: Metro Bank One Day Cup: 23 April 2024 v Warwickshire at Edgbaston
