The Blaze completed a remarkable domestic treble by edging out Hampshire in a heart‑stopping, one‑ball finish to claim the Metro Bank One Day Cup women’s title. The Trent Bridge outfit had already celebrated victories in the Vitality Blast and the Vitality T20 County Cup, but the one‑day final tested their resolve to the limit. After a frantic chase that saw them require 17 runs from the last two overs and then just two runs from the very last delivery, it was Emma Jones who emerged as the match‑winner, finishing unbeaten on 34 off 25 balls and striking the decisive runs after Tammy Beaumont and Georgia Elwiss had already contributed valuable half‑centuries in the pursuit of a target of 252. The innings began with Lucy Higham delivering a game‑changing spell, taking 4‑49 and helping to restrict Hampshire – who were also the runners‑up in the 2025 edition – to 251.
Both Ella McCaughan and Freya Kemp made solid contributions, each passing the fifty‑run mark. After winning the toss, the Blaze employed a tight, defensive strategy, with Grace Ballinger and Charley Phillips conceding just 11 runs in the first five overs. However, Hampshire’s opening partnership, featuring the in‑form Maia Bouchier and McCaughan, began to shift momentum, constructing an 84‑run stand that steadied the innings. McCaughan, confident and aggressive, celebrated her first half‑century since June with a series of crisp, well‑timed shots.
Bouchier, who had been dismissed for a duck earlier, was unable to secure a third consecutive century, falling to a long‑on catch after Georgia Adams drove a ball straight to mid‑off, both dismissals credited to Higham. The Blaze then relaxed as McCaughan and Kemp forged a 67‑run partnership during the middle overs, taking the score to 166‑2 by the 32nd over. Yet the Blaze’s experience and tactical acumen began to surface.
Higham struck again, claiming the third and fourth wickets of the innings: she stumped Kemp and induced Naomi Dattani to edge a catch to Kirstie Gordon at mid‑on. Gordon, 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. Charley Phillips added to the pressure, dismissing Rhianna Southby, Abi Norgrove and Amanda‑Jade Wellington in three successive overs, causing Hampshire’s momentum to stall and leaving them all‑out for 251. The Blaze’s chase began in earnest as Sarah Bryce and Tammy Beaumont took charge, dismantling the opposition bowlers over a 15‑over spell.
Their partnership of 95 runs was built with relative ease, but Wellington managed to break through, dismissing both Bryce sisters in a single over – Sarah was caught at deep square leg while her sister Kathryn was brilliantly taken at slip. Beaumont, supported by Elwiss, continued to steer the chase forward.
The former England opener was fortunate throughout the innings, surviving three dropped catches and a stumping opportunity before finally being given out lbw to Wellington, which triggered a mini‑collapse of three wickets in 26 balls. With 30 runs still required, Gordon fell to a catch, leaving the Blaze needing 17 from the final two overs.
Emma Jones rose to the occasion, delivering a reverse pull and a straight drive that both raced to the boundary. Although a run‑out occurred on the third ball of the over, Jones remained composed, and a sweeping four off the very last ball sealed a dramatic victory for the Blaze.
The win not only capped a spectacular season for The Blaze but also underscored their depth and resilience across formats. Their ability to bounce back from precarious positions, combined with individual brilliance from players like Higham, Jones, Beaumont, and Elwiss, highlighted a well‑balanced side capable of handling pressure.
The domestic treble – comprising the Vitality Blast, the Vitality T20 County Cup, and now the Metro Bank One Day Cup – places The Blaze among the elite women’s county teams in England, reflecting a season of sustained excellence and a benchmark for future campaigns. The match itself will be remembered for its nail‑biting finish, the strategic shifts between aggressive batting and disciplined bowling, and the sheer drama of a title decided on the very last delivery. Beyond the statistics, the final showcased the growing competitiveness of women’s county cricket, with Hampshire providing a formidable challenge and producing standout performances from McCaughan, Kemp, and Bouchier. The spectators were treated to a showcase of skill, tactical nuance, and raw emotion, reinforcing the appeal of the women’s game to a broader audience.
As the season concludes, The Blaze will look to build on this historic treble, while other counties will aim to close the gap, promising an even more exciting landscape for women’s cricket in the years ahead.