The Blaze take it deep to stun Lancashire – Cricket Match Report

The Blaze 163 for 7 (Beaumont 54, S. Bryce 32, Morris 3-25) beat Lancashire Thunder 162 for 5 (Lanning 81*, Lister 39*) by three wickets

The Blaze take it deep to stun Lancashire

Dramatic Chase Seals Back-to-Back Wins

In a heart-stopping finale at Emirates Old Trafford, The Blaze held their nerve to chase down 163 and defeat Lancashire Thunder by three wickets with just three deliveries to spare. The victory marks their second successive win in the Vitality Blast, showcasing grit and composure under pressure.

Earlier, former Australia captain Meg Lanning anchored Lancashire’s innings with a masterful 81 not out off 49 balls. After a top-order collapse left Thunder reeling at 33 for 4 in the first six overs, Lanning steadied the ship first with Fi Morris (14) through a 29-run fifth-wicket stand, before unleashing in a match-defining, unbroken 100-run partnership with Ailsa Lister (39*).

Lanning’s Calm Amidst Chaos

Thunder’s innings began in disarray as openers Eve Jones and Darcey Carter, along with captain Ellie Threlkeld, fell cheaply trying to clear the infield. Seren Smale was stumped soon after, leaving the hosts in deep trouble. But Lanning, the seasoned international, absorbed the pressure and shifted gears brilliantly.

Her assault came late, with three sixes in the final two overs—slog-swept over midwicket and long-off—helping Lancashire post a competitive 162 for 5. The last two overs alone produced 33 runs, thanks largely to Lanning’s precision and power.

Beaumont’s Blitz and Mid-Innings Wobble

In reply, Tammy Beaumont gave The Blaze a flying start. On a pitch offering true bounce, she smashed 54 off just 29 balls, including three sixes in the powerplay. Her assault included clean hits over midwicket and long-on against Tara Norris and a slog-sweep off Kate Cross.

At 53 for 1 after six overs, The Blaze were cruising. But Beaumont’s dismissal—bowled by Carter’s off-spin—sparked a mini-collapse. From 76 for 1 in the eighth over, they slumped to 100 for 5 by the 12th, with Kathryn Bryce, Georgia Elwiss, and Charli Knott all falling to Lancashire’s spinners.

Bryce and Gordon Seal the Win

With 63 still needed and wickets falling, Sarah Bryce stepped up. Her composed 32 off 22 balls, aided by a crucial 45-run seventh-wicket stand with captain Kirstie Gordon (20), pulled The Blaze back from the brink. Fi Morris, with 3 for 25, was Lancashire’s chief destroyer.

When Sarah Bryce was caught behind off Grace Potts with four needed off the final over, tension peaked. But the required runs were within reach, and the lower order saw it through. The Blaze had done it—three wickets and three balls to spare.

Key Takeaways

• Lancashire’s top-order fragility continues—they’ve now lost both opening matches.
• Meg Lanning’s class under pressure remains unmatched; her 81* rescued Thunder from collapse.
• Tammy Beaumont’s explosive start set the tone, but The Blaze’s middle-order resilience won the game.
• Sarah Bryce’s innings could prove pivotal as the tournament progresses.

Last year’s semi-finalists are showing early signs of their potential. While Lancashire will rue their missed opportunities, The Blaze take it deep to stun Lancashire in a match that had everything—explosive batting, tactical spin, and a finish that kept fans on the edge of their seats.