The Blaze completed an impressive domestic treble by narrowly defeating Hampshire in a nail‑biting one‑day final, sealing the Metro Bank One Day Cup women’s title. The Trent Bridge outfit had already collected the Vitality Blast and the Vitality T20 County Cup earlier in the season, and they were forced to summon every ounce of resolve when they found themselves needing 17 runs from the last two overs and just two from the very last ball.
Emma Jones rose to the occasion, remaining not out on 34 off 25 deliveries and striking the decisive runs after Tammy Beaumont and Georgia Elwiss had already contributed solid half‑centuries in the chase of a formidable 252‑run target. The match began with Lucy Higham delivering a standout spell, claiming four wickets for 49 runs and helping to keep Hampshire – who were also the runners‑up in the 2025 edition – to a total of 251. Both Ella McCaughan and Freya Kemp made valuable contributions, each reaching the fifty‑run mark.
After winning the toss, The Blaze employed a disciplined bowling strategy, with Grace Ballinger and Charley Phillips conceding just 11 runs in the opening five overs, a testament to their miserly intent. However, Hampshire’s opening partnership, featuring the in‑form Maia Bouchier and McCaughan, began to shift momentum, building an 84‑run stand that steadied the innings. McCaughan, confident and aggressive, notched her first half‑century since June, guiding her side toward a competitive total. Bouchier, who had been dismissed for a duck earlier in the tournament, was unable to secure a third consecutive century as she was caught on the long‑on boundary shortly after Georgia Adams drove a straight hit to mid‑off, both dismissals credited to Higham’s sharp fielding.
The Blaze’s middle overs saw McCaughan and Kemp dominate with a 67‑run partnership, taking the scoreboard to 166‑2 by the 32nd over. Yet The Blaze’s experience shone through in the death overs. Higham claimed the third and fourth wickets of the innings, first by stumping Kemp and then by securing a brilliant catch of Naomi Dattani at mid‑on, taken by Kirstie Gordon.
Gordon, a spinner who has taken 14 wickets in eight matches since returning from The Hundred, recorded her third four‑wicket haul of the season with figures of 4‑49. Meanwhile, pacer Charley Phillips delivered a rapid three‑wicket burst, dismissing Rhianna Southby, Abi Norgrove and Amanda‑Jade Wellington in three consecutive overs, further crumbling Hampshire’s batting line‑up and capping their total at 251.
In response, The Blaze’s chase began brightly. Sarah Bryce and Tammy Beaumont launched an aggressive partnership, accumulating 95 runs in just 15 overs and putting the required run rate comfortably within reach. Their dominance was briefly interrupted when Wellington, bowling a clever spell, managed to dismiss both Bryce sisters in a single over – Sarah was caught at deep square leg and Kathryn fell spectacularly at slip. Nevertheless, Beaumont, an experienced former England opener, continued to anchor the innings, benefitting from Elwiss’s support.
Beaumont’s innings was marked by both fortune and skill; she survived three dropped catches and a stumping opportunity before eventually falling lbw to Wellington after scoring her fifth half‑century of the season. Her dismissal triggered a brief collapse, with three wickets tumbling in a span of 26 balls. With 30 runs still required and the pressure mounting, Gordon was caught, leaving The Blaze needing 17 runs from the final two overs.
Emma Jones, already settled at the crease, took charge. She unleashed a spectacular reverse pull and a crisp straight drive, both finding the boundary, and despite being involved in a run‑out on the third ball of the over, she steadied the ship. The climax arrived on the very last delivery of the match: Jones executed a confident sweep that sailed over the ropes, securing the winning runs and delivering The Blaze’s victory in a match that will be remembered for its tension and drama. Beyond the statistics, the triumph highlighted The Blaze’s depth of talent and mental fortitude.
Their ability to bounce back from precarious positions, combined with key contributions from both seasoned internationals and emerging domestic players, underscored a well‑balanced squad capable of performing under pressure. The victory also cemented their status as the dominant force in women’s domestic cricket for the season, having secured three major trophies – a rare achievement that reflects both strategic acumen from the coaching staff and a relentless competitive spirit from the players. Looking ahead, The Blaze will aim to carry this momentum into upcoming international commitments and the next domestic campaign, while Hampshire, despite the loss, can take pride in their resilient performances throughout the tournament and the experience gained by their younger players. The final also provided a showcase of the growing popularity and quality of women’s cricket, with a thrilling finish that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the very last ball.
In summary, The Blaze’s domestic treble was sealed with a dramatic, last‑ball victory over Hampshire, a match defined by strategic bowling, pivotal partnerships, and a clutch performance from Emma Jones that turned a tense chase into a historic triumph.