The Blaze completed an impressive domestic treble by edging out Hampshire in a one‑ball thriller to claim the Metro Bank One Day Cup women's title. Already holders of the Vitality Blast and the Vitality T20 County Cup, the Trent Bridge‑based outfit were forced to summon every ounce of resolve when they found themselves needing 17 runs from the final two overs and, ultimately, just two runs off the very last delivery. Emma Jones emerged as the match‑winner, remaining not out on 34 from 25 balls and striking the decisive runs after Tammy Beaumont and Georgia Elwiss had each contributed solid half‑centuries in the chase of a daunting 252. The innings began with Lucy Higham delivering a spellbinding performance, claiming 4‑49 and helping to keep Hampshire – who were also the runners‑up in 2025 – to a total of 251.
Both Ella McCaughan and Freya Kemp played crucial roles, each smashing a fifty to keep the opposition in contention. After winning the toss, The Blaze employed a highly defensive opening strategy, with Grace Ballinger and Charley Phillips conceding only 11 runs in the first five overs. Nevertheless, Hampshire’s opening partnership, featuring the in‑form Maia Bouchier and McCaughan, gradually shifted momentum, building an 84‑run stand. McCaughan, confident and aggressive, notched her first half‑century since June, anchoring the innings.
Bouchier, who had been dismissed for a duck earlier in the tournament, could not secure a third consecutive century; she was caught on the long‑on boundary just before Georgia Adams struck a straight drive to mid‑off, both dismissals credited to Higham. The hosts then settled into a comfortable rhythm as McCaughan and Kemp forged a 67‑run partnership in the middle overs, taking the score to 166‑2 by the 32nd over. However, The Blaze’s experience shone through in the death overs. Higham claimed the third and fourth wickets of the afternoon by stumping Kemp and trapping Naomi Dattani with a brilliant catch by Kirstie Gordon at mid‑on.
Gordon, who has taken 14 wickets in eight matches since returning from The Hundred, recorded her third four‑for of the season with figures of 4‑49. Charley Phillips added to Hampshire’s woes, dismissing Rhianna Southby, Abi Norgrove and Amanda‑Jade Wellington in three consecutive overs, leaving the side reeling at 251. In response, Sarah Bryce and Tammy Beaumont launched an aggressive counter‑attack, dominating the bowlers for 15 overs and forging a 95‑run partnership that put the required run‑rate well within reach.
Wellington attempted to stem the flow by taking two crucial wickets in a single over – Sarah Bryce was caught at deep square leg and her sister Kathryn was elegantly dismissed at slip. Despite these setbacks, Beaumont, supported by Elwiss, kept the chase on track.
The former England opener was fortunate, 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 just 26 balls. With 30 runs still required and the pressure mounting, Gordon fell caught, leaving The Blaze needing 17 from the last two overs.
Emma Jones rose to the occasion, delivering a series of powerful shots – a reverse pull and a straight drive that both found the boundary – and even after being involved in a run‑out on the third ball, she steadied the ship. The climax arrived on the final ball when Jones, with nerves of steel, swept the ball for four, sealing a dramatic victory for The Blaze.
The win not only capped a remarkable season for The Blaze but also highlighted the depth of talent within the squad. Emma Jones’ composure under pressure, Lucy Higham’s all‑round brilliance, and the relentless support from teammates like Beaumont, Elwiss, and the emerging Bryce sisters illustrated a side capable of thriving in high‑stakes situations. Their ability to recover from a seemingly insurmountable target and clinch the title with a single ball underscores the resilience and skill that have defined their campaign.
Beyond the on‑field heroics, the match showcased the growing competitiveness of women’s domestic cricket in England. The close finish, the strategic use of powerplays, and the tactical bowling changes demonstrated a sophisticated level of play that continues to attract fans and elevate the profile of the women's game.
As The Blaze celebrate their treble, the broader cricket community can look forward to an even more exciting season ahead, with other counties eager to challenge their dominance and bring further thrilling encounters to the sport.