Tyson Striking Regular Knockout Blows as Hampshire Prepare for Life Without England Stars

If you see something that's too good to be true then, more often than not, it is.

Unless you're Bex Tyson and the message comes from English cricket royalty.

It was 2024 when the slow left-armer from Hertfordshire checked her Instagram DM's.

She had already been tearing it up for her home county having recently switched from seam to spin.

And those at the top of the game were clearly paying attention.

"Charlotte Edwards messaged me on Instagram asking me to come down (to Hampshire) for a trial," she says.

"I did wonder if it was real at first - then I saw the blue tick and thought, okay, this might actually be happening."

It's a move that has worked out well for both the 25-year-old and also Hampshire.

Tyson has taken seven wickets in the opening five matches of Hampshire's One Day Cup campaign, including three against Surrey in a stunning win at a sun-drenched Utilita Bowl last Thursday.

A blip against Lancashire aside, it has been an overwhelmingly positive start for Paul Prichard's side.

Having started out as an under-11 with Hertfordshire, she's now playing at some on some of English cricket's grandest stages.

And rubbing shoulders with the likes of Danni Wyatt-Hodge, who smashed 119 off just 86 balls when the game looked all but gone last week.

Tyson's three top order wickets - including Paige Schofield and Alice Davidson-Richards - ultimately ensured that the 35-year-old's stunning effort was in vain.

"I’m in a good place," she says.

"I think I’ve got seven or eight wickets in the last four games.

"But more than that, I’m just happy that I’m influencing games - whatever phase I come into. I’m working a lot on game plans and how I can contribute in different situations.

"It’s not often your number seven comes in and does that.

"I think it might be her choice to bat there, but she played really well - took the game on and put us under pressure.

"Overall, though, it was a really good game and a great crowd as well.

"Getting them seven down, when Maitlan Brown got out, we were pretty happy with where we were. It did feel like it was slipping away from us a bit at one point, but we held our nerve in the end."

Having the sun on your back helps.

Tyson swerved a typically miserable English winter by escaping to Australia to play club cricket.

It turned out to be good decision - and not just in terms of Vitamin D levels in the Aussie sun.

"I was in Melbourne before Christmas, then moved to Sydney and played for Northern Districts," says Tyson.

"I loved it, it was such a great environment, and the standard of club cricket over there is incredible.

"It gave me a lot of independence, especially with my bowling. No one really knew me, so I had to take charge, setting fields, managing spells, things like that.

"And with the bat, I had more opportunities. I was batting five or six, so I could really focus on improving that side of my game as well."

Such has been Hampshire's form with the bat that she has only been required once so far this season, scoring three not out against Lancashire at Old Trafford as the visitors were swept aside for 153 after being inserted by captain Eleanor Threlkeld.

Now, with the likes of Lauren Bell, Freya Kemp and Linsey Smith likely to be absent for a large chunk of the season on international duty, Hampshire will be looking for Tyson to step-up with bat and ball from here on in.

"You obviously miss players like that - they’re world-class," she says.

"But it also creates opportunities.

"We’ve got so much young talent, and it gives people a chance to step up into bigger roles.

"With someone like Linsey Smith, I knew I had to be ready when she wasn’t there.

"But we also ended up playing quite a lot together (last season), which was great - I learned a lot from her.

"She’s been a really good role model.

"The best thing about women’s cricket at the moment - there’s so much talent.

"They might not be big names yet, but you can’t underestimate youngsters coming through at Hampshire.

"I’m really excited to see how they go this season."

With Somerset arriving at the Utilita Bowl on Wednesday, Hampshire are still flying high, sitting in second place behind the Blaze.

And there's more to come.

"There has been a lot of 'pinch me' moments over the last couple of years," says Tyson.

"Even just saying you’re playing at somewhere like Old Trafford feels a bit ridiculous - but I feel very lucky.

"It’s amazing to be able to do this."

To see Tyson in action in the upcoming T20 Blast, click here.