The Blaze (women) vs Warwickshire (women) – match 36 – League One – at Lindum Cricket Club, Lincoln on Thursday 24 July 2025 with delayed start from 10h30 to 12h30
‘Dress rehearsal’ for the up-coming Eliminator match three days later, on which occasion the winner will play Surrey women in the final. On the day, The Blaze won the local Midlands derby that was shortened for a late start with eleven overs docked from each innings. Blaze openers Marie Kelly [66runs (from61 balls) partnered by Georgie Boyce [46(from 64)] added 106 without loss. Blaze were said to be ‘pleased’ to set Warwickshire women chasing ‘more than 200’ in a rain-reduced match. Key century partnership between Abbey Freeborn who scored ‘fifty’ and Nat Wraith [75 runs (from 71 balls)] who made top-score, added 112 for Warwickshire women; who were bowled-out. Three Blaze bowlers each took 3-fers: [Kathryn Bryce 3/18, Georgia Elwiss 3/26, Grace Ballinger 3/26.] Commentator (unannounced) believed to be James Carr as visiting Regional Director of Women’s Cricket for (part of the) North of England; with Martin Dobson (announced) Chief executive for Lincolnshire Cricket. Weather improved following overnight rain.
Blaze women wearing orange with vertical ‘paper tiger’ stripes over black, plus leg-joggers with half-white stripes and gold numbers; *skipper Kirstie Gordon *[Nat Wraith keeping wicket for Warwickshire] *International player Heather Graham (Australia) *Scotland internationals Kathryn Bryce and Sarah Bryce; *Substitute fielder Michaela Kirk, *After ten overs power-play: 46/0; *Marie Kelly was ‘stumped’ by keeper Nat Wraith, from Millie Taylor; *Georgie Boyce went aerial, caught at ‘cover’ by Georgia Davis, from Amu Surenkumar; *By mid-way (25 ov) 131/2; *Carbon copy of earlier dismissal, Kathryn Bryce was ‘stumped’ by keeper Nat Wraith, from Georgia Davis; *Mis-timing a ‘square-cut,’ Heather Graham was bowled by Hannah Baker; *Georgia Elwiss was caught by Sterre Kalis, from Georgia Davis; *Ella Claridge was caught by keeper Nat Wraith, from Amu Surenkumar; Blaze women batting: Marie Kelly66(61), Georgie Boyce46(64), Sarah Bryce32*not out(19), Kathryn Bryce23(37), Georgia Elwiss19(22), Sarah Glenn13*not out(8); Warwickshire women bowling: Georgia Davis 2/33, Amu Surenkumar 2/51, Millie Taylor 1/26, Hannah Baker 1/42;
Warwickshire women wearing light blue splash over dark blue; skipper Georgia Davis [Sarah Bryce keeping wicket for Blaze] *international player Sterre Kalis (NL); *Mis-timing a ‘pull’ shot, Bethan Ellis was caught ‘low’ at ‘mid-wicket’ by Ella Claridge, from Kathryn Bryce; *Davina Perrin was caught at ‘point’ by Lucy Higham, from Grace Ballinger; *Amu Surenkumar returned a ‘dolly,’ caught-and-bowled by Kathryn Bryce; *Sterre Kalis was caught by keeper Sarah Bryce diving leg-side, from Grace Ballinger golden duck; *Katie George ’top-of-middle’ with bails sent flying was bowled by Kathryn Bryce; *After ten overs power-play: 28/5(vs 46/0); *By mid-way (25 ov) 115/5 (vs131/2); *Mis-timing a ‘scoop’ Abbey Freeborn went plumb ‘leg-before’ to Georgia Elwiss; *Issy Wong went aerial, caught at ‘backward point’ by Sarah Glenn, from Georgia Elwiss; *Short of a run next ball, Millie Taylor was ’run-out’ by Sarah Glenn’s throw from ‘cover’ to Georgia Elwiss receiving at the non-striker’s end, for a golden duck; *Georgia Davis was caught ‘at deep-square-leg’ by Kathryn Bryce, from left-armed Grace Ballinger; *Nat Wraith was caught at ‘deep extra-cover’ by Kirstie Gordon, from Georgia Elwiss; Warwickshire women batting: Nat Wraith75(71), Abbey Freeborn56(73); Blaze women bowling: Kathryn Bryce 3/18, Georgia Elwiss 3/26, Grace Ballinger 3/26;
Match result: The Blaze women 218/6 (@5.5 runs-per-over 39/39overs) beat Warwickshire (women) 171 ‘All out’ (@4.9 runs-per-over from 34.3/39ov / target 219 from 39/39 ov) by 47 runs (DLS method)
*Scorecard with video highlights, courtesy of ECB via nv play at url: https://live.nvplay.com/ecb/?tab=m_summary#mc642dbc3-450b-442e-840a-4e4c24a8a7b2
*https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/scorecard/e-225552 & SKY Sports@url: https://www.skysports.com/cricket/the-blaze-v-warwickshire-women/scorecard/91fb0d42-d2c4-5583-9954-2025991d55d9
*Full match free-to-air, courtesy of Trent Bridge (nv play) via YouTube [05h26m57s] @url: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1rFM6pkINw
*Upcoming League one fixtures @url http://4theloveofsport.co.uk/2025/05/22/metro-bank-league-one-fixtures-and-results-up-to-may-2025/
*Upcoming League two fixtures @url http://4theloveofsport.co.uk/2025/05/25/metro-bank-league-two-fixtures-and-results-up-to-may-2025/
