The Blaze completed an extraordinary domestic treble by edging out Hampshire in a dramatic one‑run finish to claim the Metro Bank One Day Cup women's title. The Trent Bridge‑based outfit had already celebrated triumphs in the Vitality Blast and the Vitality T20 County Cup, but the one‑day final proved to be their toughest test yet. After posting a formidable total of 252, they found themselves needing 17 runs from the last two overs and then just two from the very last delivery.
It was Emma Jones who rose to the occasion, hammering an unbeaten 34 off 25 balls and striking the decisive runs that secured the win, following solid contributions of half‑centuries from Tammy Beaumont and Georgia Elwiss during the chase. The match began with Lucy Higham delivering a game‑changing spell, taking 4 for 49 and helping to restrict Hampshire, who were also the runners‑up in the 2025 edition, to 251.
Both Ella McCaughan and Freya Kemp contributed fifties, keeping the opposition within touching distance. After winning the toss, The Blaze employed a disciplined bowling strategy, with Grace Ballinger and Charley Phillips conceding only 11 runs in the first five overs. However, Hampshire’s opening partnership, featuring the in‑form Maia Bouchier and McCaughan, began to shift momentum, building an 84‑run stand.
McCaughan, delighted to reach her first half‑century since June, played a confident, aggressive knock that set the tone for the middle overs. The video feed for the match required Chrome for optimal viewing, a note that appeared twice in the original broadcast commentary.
Bouchier, who had been dismissed for a duck earlier in the season, was unable to secure a third consecutive century when she was caught on the long‑on boundary shortly after Georgia Adams drove a straight ball to mid‑off, both dismissals credited to Higham. The Blaze then settled into a defensive rhythm as McCaughan and Kemp forged a 67‑run partnership, taking the score to 166‑2 by the 32nd over. Yet The Blaze’s experience and tactical nous began to shine through. Higham claimed the third and fourth wickets of the innings, first by stumping Kemp and then by trapping Naomi Dattani with a brilliant catch at mid‑on by Kirstie Gordon.
Gordon, 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. Fast‑bowler Charley Phillips added to the pressure, removing 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.
The chase began with Sarah Bryce and Tammy Beaumont dismantling the Blaze’s bowling attack over 15 overs, putting together a 95‑run partnership with apparent ease. Wellington, however, turned the tide briefly by dismissing both Bryce sisters in a single over—Sarah was caught deep square, and Kathryn fell spectacularly at slip.
Beaumont, supported by Elwiss, continued to anchor the innings. The former England opener enjoyed a fortunate series of reprieves, surviving three drops and a stumping chance before finally being given out lbw to Wellington, which triggered a rapid collapse of three wickets in just 26 balls. With 30 runs still required and the pressure mounting, Gordon was caught, leaving the target at 17 runs from the final two overs.
Emma Jones, already well‑set, took charge. She unleashed a reverse pull and a straight drive that raced to the boundary, then, despite being involved in a run‑out on the third ball, she recovered composure.
On the final delivery of the match, she executed a sweeping four that sailed over the fielders, sealing a nerve‑wracking victory for The Blaze. The win not only completed a historic treble for The Blaze but also underscored their depth across formats. Their ability to bounce back from early setbacks, as demonstrated by the crucial wickets taken by Higham and Gordon, highlighted a well‑balanced side capable of both aggressive batting and incisive bowling. Emma Jones’s calm under pressure, combined with the earlier heroics of Beaumont, Elwiss and the steady contributions of Bryce, illustrated the team’s collective resilience.
Looking ahead, The Blaze will aim to build on this momentum in upcoming domestic competitions, while Hampshire, despite the disappointment of a narrow defeat, can take pride in the strong performances of McCaughan, Kemp and Bouchier, who all showed the capacity to dominate at the top level. The final also offered a showcase of emerging talent, with players like Kirstie Gordon continuing to develop after her return from The Hundred, and the Bryce sisters proving their worth on the big stage. In summary, the Metro Bank One Day Cup final will be remembered as one of the most thrilling finishes in recent women’s cricket, a testament to the high‑quality skill, strategic acumen, and sheer determination displayed by both sides.
The Blaze’s domestic treble stands as a benchmark for excellence, and the match itself provided fans with a masterclass in how the game can swing in an instant, delivering excitement right down to the very last ball.