England quartet to remain at Utilita Bowl with Hampshire

The four players all represented the Three Lions in 2024 and played for Southern Vipers having recently played at the Women’s T20 World Cup squad in the UAE.

Bell, Bouchier and Kemp have also played for Southern Brave in The Hundred and were part of the team that won the competition in 2023.

Born in Swindon but raised in Hungerford, Bell played for Berkshire from 2015-2021 and first took to the field for Southern Vipers in 2018.

She has claimed exactly 50 wickets with a best of 4-36 coming against South East Stars in 2020 across her 48 appearances for the South Central region.

She said: “I’m really excited to play for Hampshire next year. The Utilita Bowl has been a great home since I joined the set-up here back in 2018.

“It’s great that we have a two-team, one club set up and I can’t wait to walk out at Utilita Bowl under the rose and crown for the first time next year.”

Bouchier, originally from London, moved to the south coast in 2018 before debuting for Southern Vipers in 2018 and has played for Hampshire since 2019.

She received her first international honours in 2021 against New Zealand but had to wait until the winter of 2023-24 to solidify her place in the team.

“I love playing my cricket at Utilita Bowl," she said. "I’m really pleased to continue my journey here with Hampshire.

Lauren Bell, Freya Kemp, Maia Bouchier, and Linsey Smith will all play for Hampshire from 2025 (Image: Dave Vokes) “It’s a great environment to be a part of, and I look forward to continue working with Charlotte Edwards as we move into this new era of women’s cricket.”

Kemp was just 17 years and 95 days old when she first took to the field for England and was their leading wicket taker in cricket’s first-ever venture in the Commonwealth Games in 2022.

On signing on at Hampshire, Kemp said: “It’s a great feeling to know I’ll be playing for Hampshire next summer in this new era for women’s cricket.

“To work under Charlotte Edwards and the team here at Utilita Bowl is amazing, and I can’t thank them enough for helping me get to where I am, from the setbacks I’ve had.”

Smith made her England debut back in 2018, and has featured 15 times for the Three Lions. She played nine matches across 2018-19 before making a return in 2024. 

She was the leading wicket-taker in the 2024 edition of the women’s Hundred, with 15 wickets to her name, and is currently taking part in the Women’s Big Bash League with Melbourne Renegades.

On signing for Hampshire, she said: “I’m delighted to continue my career at Utilita Bowl and join Hampshire. I’ve loved the environment since I came back down south last season.

“It’s a real privilege to be coached by Charlotte Edwards and I look forward to working with her and the rest of the Hampshire team for years to come.”