'Bigger and better' Blast as Lightning host Rapids first

ALL 18 first-class counties will host at least one men's and women's double-header in a "bigger and better" Vitality Blast in 2025 Lancashire Lightning hosting Worcestershire Rapids at Old Trafford in the men's tournament.

- 

Next season will be the first time in the tournament's history that all women's and men's county teams will play side by side in the Blast, while the women's competition will be split into two.

One competition will be contested by eight counties from Tier One who will play alongside the men in the Blast while the remaining 10 counties will play in the Vitality Blast Women's League Two.

In total, 52 men's and women's double-headers will be staged next season.

The tournament begins with the 'Blast-Off weekend' from Thursday, May 29 until Sunday, June 1, with 10 double-headers taking place over that period.

The opening day will see Lancashire Lightning hosting Worcestershire Rapids at Old Trafford in the men's tournament, while Middlesex and Sussex Sharks will meet at Lord's in the first double-header.