Vitality 20ov *Hampshire Hawks (women) vs The Blaze (women) (match 45, league one – ‘stand-alone’ fixture) at Utilita Bowl Southampton on 8 July 2026
Semi-final dress-rehearsal, in which Hawks remained unbeaten at home for the entire group-stage and confirmed their place top-of-table for up-coming Finals day on 17 July. Hawks looking play whoever finishes fourth – between Somerset and The Blaze. Batting first, Georgia Adams [49 runs (from 30 balls)] made top-score for the entire match. Blaze’s Best bowler was guest Australian Charli Knott [taking 3 wickets/conceding 22 runs)] who wore ‘Hawks’ last season. Turning too Blaze, Marie Kelly made top-score 33(20) with Georgia Adams taking a 4-fer (4/16): her second-best career performance for t20. Speaking post match, Hawks skipper Georgia Adams mentioned that she made good use of Maia Bouchier’s loaned bat and was delighted that (her team) had ‘stepped-up.’ Commentators for Hants cricket Livestream and Solent Radio were Kevan ‘Kev’ James with Jemma Green. Weather: continuing ‘heat wave’ with clear blue sky 27C.
Hawks women wearing full-backed and half-fronted striped yellow tops and yellow batting pads over navy blue; *skipper Georgia Adams *[Sarah Bryce keeping wicket for The Blaze women]; *international player Amanda-Jade Wellington (Australia ‘WBBL); *without Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier, Freya Kemp & Linsey Smith (England test match call-up); *Mis-timing ‘square,’ Ella McCaughan was bowled with her middle-stump flattened by Charli Knott; *After 6 overs ‘power-play’ 48/1 *Georgia Adams was caught at mid-wicket by Kathryn Bryce, from Charli Knott; *Score 71/2 by ‘mid-way (after 10 overs); *Francesca Sweet was caught-and-bowled reflexively by Josie Groves; *Slicing a ‘top-edge,’ Rhianna Southby was also caught-and-bowled by Josie Groves; *Mis-timing ‘scoop’ to leg-side, Abi Norgrove was bowled with leg-stump flattened by Grace Ballinger; *Left-handed batter Naomi Dattani was bowled with leg-stump flattened by Grace Ballinger; *Nancy Harman was bowled ‘top-of-middle’ with bails sent flying by Grace Ballinger *Amanda-Jade Wellington was caught aerial at ‘deep mid-wicket’ by Michaela Kirk, from Charli Knott; Hawks women batting: Georgia Adams 49(30); Abi Norgrove 29(34); Amanda-Jade Wellington 18(11); Francesca Sweet 17(20); Nancy Harman 16(9); Blaze women bowling: Charli Knott 3/22(4); Grace Ballinger 3/25 (3); Josie Groves 2/17(3);
The Blaze women wearing orange stripe with over black with half-white vertical trouser stripe and black pads; *skipper Kirstie Gordon; [Rhianna ‘Rhi’ Southby keeping wicket for Hawks women]; *With international player Charli Knott (Australia WBBL); *without Tammy Beaumont, Nat Sciver-Brunt or Amy Jones (England test match call-up); *Mis-timing a ‘reverse-scoop,’ leg-side, Marie Kelly was bowled by seamer Daisy Gibb; *Level-pegging after 6 overs ‘power-play’ 52/1 (vs48/1); *Kathryn Bryce was caught at deep ‘backward-square’ by Ella McCaughan, from Amanda-Jade Wellington; *Next ‘over,’ mis-timing a ‘ramp,’ Charli Knott was bowled by Georgia Adams; *Score 72/3 (vs71/2) by ‘mid-way (after 10 overs); *Over-stepping, Georgia Elwiss was stumped by Rhianna ‘Rhi’ Southby, from Georgia Adams; *Emma Jones was caught ariel at ‘deep mid-wicket’ by Nancy Harman, from Bex Tyson; *New ‘over’ next ball, Sarah Bryce was stumped by fellow keeper Rhianna ‘Rhi’ Southby, from Amanda-Jade Wellington; *Mis-timing a ‘sweep,’Michaela Kirk went ‘leg-before’ to Georgia Adams; *Two balls later, Josie Groves was caught aerial at ‘extra cover’ by Naomi Dattani, from Georgia Adams; Blaze women batting: Marie Kelly 33(20); Georgia Elwiss 22(23); Kirstie Gordon 19*not out(11); Grace Ballinger 16*not out(19); Kathryn Bryce 15(16); Hawks women bowling: Georgia Adams 4/16(4); Amanda-Jade Wellington 2/16(4);Daisy Gibb 1/23(3); Bex Tyson 1/32(4);
*Match result: Hampshire Hawks (women) 151/8 (@7.5 runs-per-over/target 162 from 20ov.) beat The Blaze (women) 128/8 (@6.4 r-p-o from 20ov.) by 23 runs
*Video scorecard, courtesy of ECB via nv play @url: https://live.nvplay.com/ecb/?tab=m_scorecard#me5e80000-9b94-4272-7271-08de2c26e373
*Upcoming League one ‘Vitality Blast’ (20ov.) fixtures @url: http://4theloveofsport.co.uk/2025/12/17/vitality-blast-league-one-fixtures-for-2026-3-of-4/
*Upcoming League one ‘MetroBank’ (50ov.) fixtures with mid-term results @url: https://live.nvplay.com/ecb/?tab=m_summary#me5e80000-9b94-4272-bf7b-08de2c26e211
