Durham Women registered a 27-run victory over Warwickshire Women at the Banks Homes Riverside, successfully defending a total of 140/5 in the Women’s T20 Blast 2026.
Heath Anchors Durham Innings
Batting first, Durham posted a competitive 140 for 5, with Bess Heath leading the way with a career-best 61 from 39 balls. Her innings formed the backbone of the total after an early setback.
Warwickshire made a strong start with the ball, reducing Durham to 22/2 inside four overs. Hollie Armitage was bowled attempting a pull shot, while Mady Villiers miscued to mid-on.
Heath then combined with Emily Windsor to rebuild the innings through an 80-run partnership for the third wicket. Windsor contributed 31, playing a steady role, while Heath took the attacking route, scoring boundaries across the ground.
Durham reached 62/2 at the halfway stage and pushed past 100 in the 14th over. Heath brought up her fifty in 33 balls before being dismissed lbw for 61 at 117/4 in the 17th over.
Warwickshire fought back well in the final overs, conceding only 33 runs in the last five overs. Georgia Davis accounted for Heather Graham, while tight bowling ensured Durham finished on 140/5.
Alexa Stonehouse impressed with the new ball, returning figures of 1/15 from four overs.
Durham Bowlers Control the Chase
Warwickshire’s chase never gathered momentum as they were bowled out for 113 inside 19 overs.
Early strikes from Trudy Johnson and Mady Villiers reduced Warwickshire to 15/2. Georgia Redmayne fell lbw, and the pressure continued to build.
Meg Austin and Charis Pavely attempted to stabilise the innings with a 43-run stand, but both were dismissed in quick succession, leaving Warwickshire at 58/4.
Austin was bowled for 19 by Sophia Turner, while Pavely fell for 18 attempting an aggressive shot.
From that point, Durham’s bowlers maintained control. Chloe Brewer offered some resistance with 26, but wickets continued to fall regularly.
Katie Levick and Heather Graham struck crucial blows, and when Villiers dismissed Brewer to make it 98/7, the result was effectively sealed.
Durham Seal Comfortable Victory
Durham’s bowling attack shared the wickets effectively, with Levick, Villiers and Graham all taking 2/23, while Turner also chipped in as the hosts completed a 27-run win.
The result marked Durham’s second victory in three matches, while Warwickshire slipped to their fourth consecutive defeat.
