The Blaze completed an impressive domestic treble by edging out Hampshire in a heart‑stopping finish to the Metro Bank One Day Cup women’s tournament. The Trent Bridge‑based side had already lifted the Vitality Blast and the Vitality T20 County Cup earlier in the season, but the one‑day final proved to be a true test of character.
After finding themselves needing 17 runs from the last two overs and then just two runs off the very last delivery, the Blaze held their nerve, with Emma Jones delivering the decisive blow. Jones finished unbeaten on 34 off 25 balls, and her final strike – a sweeping four – secured the win after earlier contributions from Tammy Beaumont and Georgia Elwiss, both of whom had already posted half‑centuries in the chase of a formidable 252‑run target.
The match began with Lucy Higham producing a spell‑binding performance for the Blaze, claiming four wickets for 49 runs. Her early breakthroughs helped restrict Hampshire – who had also been runners‑up in the 2025 edition – to 251, a total built largely on the power‑hitting of Ella McCaughan and Freya Kemp, each of whom struck fifties. After winning the toss, the Blaze employed a disciplined, low‑scoring start, thanks in part to the miserly bowling of Grace Ballinger and Charley Phillips, who together gave away just 11 runs in the first five overs. However, Hampshire’s opening partnership, featuring the in‑form Maia Bouchier and McCaughan, began to turn the tide with an 84‑run stand.
McCaughan, confident and aggressive, notched her first fifty since June, anchoring the innings while Bouchier, despite being dismissed for a duck, attempted to keep the pressure on. The middle overs saw Hampshire regain momentum as McCaughan and Kemp forged a 67‑run partnership, taking the score to 166‑2 by the 32nd over. Yet the Blaze refused to capitulate. Higham struck again, delivering the third and fourth wickets of the innings.
She trapped Kemp with a stumping and then dismissed Naomi Dattani, who was caught brilliantly by Kirstie Gordon at mid‑on. Gordon, a spinner who has taken 14 wickets in eight matches since returning from The Hundred, recorded her third four‑for in that span with figures of 4‑49. Meanwhile, pace bowler Charley Phillips made a decisive impact, dismissing Rhianna Southby, Abi Norgrove and Amanda‑Jade Wellington in three consecutive overs, which caused Hampshire’s momentum to falter and left them stranded at 251. In response, the Blaze’s chase began brightly.
Sarah Bryce and Tammy Beaumont launched an aggressive partnership, accumulating 95 runs with apparent ease over the first 15 overs. Their dominance was briefly interrupted when Wellington, the left‑arm spinner, managed to dismiss both Bryce sisters in a single over – Sarah was caught at deep square leg, and Kathryn was elegantly taken at slip.
Nevertheless, Beaumont, supported by Elwiss, kept the run rate under control. The former England opener was fortunate throughout the innings, surviving three dropped catches and a stumping chance, before finally falling lbw to Wellington after scoring her fifth half‑century of the campaign. That wicket sparked a mini‑collapse, with three wickets falling in just 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 rose to the occasion. She struck a spectacular reverse pull and a clean straight drive, both finding the boundary, and even after a run‑out on the third ball of the final over, she steadied the ship. The climax arrived with the final ball of the match: Jones, facing a bowler under immense pressure, executed a perfect sweep that sailed over the boundary for four runs, sealing a dramatic victory for the Blaze.
The win not only delivered the Metro Bank One Day Cup but also completed a historic domestic treble for the Blaze – a rare achievement that underscores their dominance across all formats in women’s county cricket. Their season has been marked by a blend of experienced internationals like Beaumont and emerging talents such as Jones, who have all contributed to a winning culture.
The Blaze’s ability to bounce back from precarious positions, as demonstrated in the final, highlights their depth, resilience, and tactical acumen. Looking ahead, the Blaze will aim to build on this momentum in upcoming competitions, while Hampshire will reflect on a valiant effort that fell just short. Both sides showcased the growing quality and excitement of women’s cricket in England, offering fans a thrilling spectacle and setting a high standard for future tournaments.