2026 Fixtures: A sign of progress or still a case of “must do better”?

Richard Starkie
4 hours ago
6 min read

Woeful Yorkshire unprepared for the reality of equity in 21st Century cricket

For those of you who may have forgotten, Yorkshire women were promoted from Tier 2 to Tier 1 at the end of last season, having publicly criticised the ECB for the decision to give Tier 1 status to Durham instead of Yorkshire in 2025.

The initial plan, for Yorkshire and Glamorgan to become Tier 1 in 2027, was changed one month later following vociferous and prolonged lobbying and protest by the county. Yorkshire would achieve Tier 1 status, as a consequence, in 2026. It is more than a surprise, therefore, to see that Yorkshire, far from making their women’s team a priority, have treated them appallingly in the allocation of fixture venues for 2026.

As part of Yorkshire’s efforts to be “the most welcoming and inclusive club in the country”, they are giving their professional women’s team exclusive use of Headingley for 3 days in the 2026 season (even fewer than last season, when they had 4 days). They are giving their professional men’s team 22 days. Not only are they not playing at Headingley, but the venue for 6 of their 8 Metro Bank One Day Cup matches is still “to be confirmed”.

Possible venues could include Harrogate, Weetwood (used by Yorkshire men’s 2^nd XI) and Scarborough (already being used for 10 days by the men’s 1^st XI and currently going through some turmoil as a club). This issue of a complete lack of equality of opportunity is probably the most depressing and confusing headline to come out of the fixtures for the 2026 cricket season, published last week.

Hampshire, Durham and Essex are the Champions of Equity

The women’s teams for these 3 counties will play all their cricket at the county ground this season. Showing other counties what can be done when you treat both men’s and women’s teams equally, Durham and Essex set the standard in 2025, when they scheduled all their women’s games for their main ground. Hampshire, who used Arundel and Falkland for 5 of their fixtures last year, have followed this lead and will play all of their games at the Utilita Bowl.

Surrey’s women back at the Oval

Following last year’s inexplicable decision to host all the Metro Bank One Day Cup games in Kent, Surrey have rightly found space for their women’s team at the Oval in 2026. Having invested in an upgrade to facilities at the Oval specifically to include female players, it seemed very strange to send them all off to Beckenham to play their matches last season. So well done to Surrey for putting it right for this year!

The Blaze embrace Trent Bridge

It feels like The Blaze have spent the last year trying to remain a regional team rather than a county: they did not take the name Nottinghamshire and last season played matches all around the East Midlands from Loughborough to Lindum to Derby and Leicester and Chesterfield. In fact, they only played five stand-alone matches at Trent Bridge in the whole of last season.

This year, they have not only got five of their eight Metro Bank fixtures at the county ground, they are the only county to be playing all six Blast games as double headers with the men’s team. At Trent Bridge, the female players are given equal prominence with the men in the photos and signage around the ground, so it makes sense for it to become their default home ground rather than a place where they occasionally play. A welcome improvement for 2026!

Lancashire leave space for new Farington facility to host matches

I seem to remember that this time last year, the headline for Lancashire was “could do better”. They are probably doing marginally better in 2026. Six out of eight Metro Bank fixtures at Old Trafford puts them on a par with Warwickshire and Surrey. Two Blast fixtures at Blackpool keeps a link going with the local cricket league network, which is an important thing in Lancashire.

It’s the venue for the two “TBC” fixtures which is intriguing. Lancashire’s new state of the art facility near Preston is due to open in 2026, so it is possible that this would be the venue for these games. The other important thing in Lancashire’s favour is that comparing the men’s and women’s fixtures shows that the teams are being treated equally, something which has long been the ambition within the county.

Somerset unable to name venue for half their Metro Bank matches

There are four huge gaping gaps in Somerset’s fixture list for 2026. The county has been unable to name a venue for four Metro Bank fixtures. This despite the fact that Somerset men will play every minute of their 2026 season at Taunton. This is very disappointing and needs to be one of the issues at the top of Erin Osborne’s agenda as she takes over as coach.

After several seasons of under-achievement by Western Storm, Somerset failed to fire last season in the new county system, winning only 7 out of 28 matches. Having a settled home venue is surely something which will help the team succeed on the pitch and giving some sort of equality of access would communicate strongly that this team is valued by the county.

Warwickshire uncertain about using Portland Road – but short of other options

12 of Warwickshire’s 14 games will take place at Edgbaston. Last season, Warwickshire blew a good proportion of their budget on creating brand new facilities at Edgbaston for the women’s team, and they have been at the forefront of creating an equitable environment and a one club mentality. They also have two of the most marketable players in the English game in Davina Perrin and Issy Wong, so expect to see their images emblazoned along the Pershore Road next season as the faces of the county.

Last season, Warwickshire used Portland Road as their “other” venue for the final three Metro Bank fixtures. The problem is that it’s not quite up to standard for the professional game, even with the addition of portaloos and mobile snack shack. It’s very difficult to set up a distinct “Players and Match Officials” area there alongside and press box and broadcasting area, which is an absolute non-negotiable in the professional game, so it appears that Warwickshire may be looking for an alternative. The men’s team are using Rugby School in August, but clearly this is not an option during term time. We wait to see what solution they find.

Kent, Gloucestershire and Sussex set the standard in Tier 2

Canterbury will host the vast majority of Kent’s fixtures in Tier 2, although having evicted their rogue tenants from Beckenham, Kent will reclaim the South-East London ground for one of their Metro Bank fixtures. Sussex are mainly based at Hove, but will use Arundel a couple of times plus another out-ground at Horsham for a Blast game. Gloucestershire, under new coach Fran Wilson, will play mainly at Bristol, but will also take part in the historic Cheltenham Cricket Festival, with two of their Metro Bank games being promoted alongside three of the men’s team’s fixtures there.

Glamorgan, Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Northamptonshire all leaving TBC gaps

One of the issues which must give a headache to schedulers of Tier 2 games is that generally speaking these games can only happen on weekends because many of the players have work commitments.

There is a principle of equality of opportunity, the mandate and obligation to promote the women’s game on a par with the men’s, but also the reality of time restrictions when the women’s team is not professional. These four counties are looking to fill two slots each – but it’s not easy to book a club ground on a weekend because inevitably the club teams will have fixtures too.

Worcestershire women cannot name a venue for any One Day Cup game

What is happening at Worcester? Such a good women’s set up there under the captaincy of the Clare Boycott. A really good mix of “old school” county players and exciting young talent. And yet, five of their eight fixtures are “TBC” and two of the other three fixtures are double headers.

So only one stand alone fixture for the women at New Road, whilst the men’s team are playing every minute of the season at New Road (provided that the river does not flood). A very disappointing way to start the season.