2025 sees the unveiling of the new Women’s Domestic Structure which brings with it a lot of change but also some exciting new challenges. The 8 regional teams, with a supporting county structure, have made way for a 3-tiered county-based system. Tier 1 being 8 fully professional teams from the Men’s First Class structure, Tier 2 is made up of the remaining 10 First Class Counties with Tier 3 being made up of National Counties.
As previously reported, despite Berkshire submitting a strong bid in the summer to become a Tier 2 side, all National Counties have been placed in Tier 3. However, Tier 3 still presents a much improved and better funded programme than the previous County Competitions. Following a consultation process it was agreed between Tier 3 counties to split Tier 3 into a Division 1 & Division 2 to create a competitive, meaningful matchplay programme. Berkshire are excited to confirm that we have been designated as a Division 1 side for 2025 which was based off factors such as historic Women’s 1st XI performance and County U18 performances.
Division 1:
Berkshire
Buckinghamshire
Cambridgeshire
Cheshire
Devon
Hertfordshire
Staffordshire
Wiltshire
Berkshire Women will compete across 3 competitions in 2025:
- Vitality T20 Women’s County Cup
The introduction of the Vitality T20 Women’s County Cup will see teams from across all 3 tiers compete in what has been coined the FA Cup of cricket. This will see Berkshire have the chance to take on fully professional sides from Tier 1 in a knockout cup.
Berkshire’s 1st round draw will see us travel to Cornwall on Bank Holiday Monday 5th May. The winner of that tie will earn the right to host the winners of an all Tier 2 encounter between Middlesex and Kent the following weekend (Saturday 10th May).
- Metro Bank One Day Cup – Women’s League Three (Division 1)
The Metro Bank One Day Cup – Women’s League Three will see all 8 Division 1 teams face off across the summer. The teams that finish 1st & 2nd will then compete in a final on Sunday 21st September to crown the winner. Further competition is created with the inclusive of promotion/relegation with the teams finishing 7th& 8th being replaced by the winners of Division 2 South & Division 2 North. This sees a considerable increase on 2024 with the number of 50 over game rising from just 3 to 7 (possibly 8) matches in 2025.
- Vitality Blast – Women’s League Three (Division 1 – South)
The Vitality Blast – Women’s League Three will also see a competition separated across a Division 1 & Division 2. However, Division 1 in this competition will be separated North/South with 4 teams in each Division. Berkshire will face each county (Devon, Wiltshire & Hertfordshire) in T20 double headers in the group stages. The winner of the South Division will progress to a finals day on 27th July where they will take on the North Division winners.