‘Clinical’ performance by The Blaze women, who were determined to clinch victory to qualify for ‘Finals Day’ at ‘The Kia Oval’ on 17 July. Batting first, Somerset womens’ four best batters were sent back to their ‘dug-out’ on 47/4. All seven Blaze bowlers went on to take at least one wicket each leaving Somerset women short of a defendable score. Between innings, commentators expressed sympathy for Somerset – edged-out with one match remaining. Batting for The Blaze, Charli Knott [63*not out (from 43 balls) partnered by Sarah Bryce 29(43); added 87 runs for Blaze’s womens’ third-wicket. That ‘took the game away’ from Somerset women, whose skipper Sophie Luff had scored a competition total of 388 runs – 4th highest-to-date. Commentator added that the result was ‘never in doubt’ as The Blaze clinched a ‘home team’ victory bagging a valuable bonus-point. Commentator for The Blaze at Trent Bridge Livestream TV was Dave Bracegirdle (BBC Sports Xtra3 & Radio Nottingham) with guest Kiel van Vollenhoven (WollatonCC, Notts.) Weather: heat wave: 22C rising to ‘sweltering’ 32C by mid-afternoon.
Somerset women wearing all-black with plum helmets and black caps; *skipper Sophie Luff; *[Sarah Bryce keeping wicket for The Blaze women] *with international player Anika Learoyd (Australia Womens’ Big Bash League); *with Charlie Dean (England) and Grace Ballinger (England ‘A); *without Heather Knight or Danni Gibson (England Test Match call-up); *Bex Odgers was caught at ‘extra cover’ by Georgia Elwiss, from Grace Ballinger; *Sophie Luff was caught at ‘long-on’ by Emma Jones, from Kirstie Gordon; *After 6 overs ‘power-play 37/2; *Niamh Holland was caught at ‘mid-off’ by Marie Kelly, from Kathryn Bryce; *Anika Learoyd was bowled by Josie Groves; *Score 58/4 by ‘mid-way (after 10 overs); *Alex Griffiths fell to a ‘fine catch’ at ‘extra cover,’ taken by Georgia Elwiss, from Charley N Phillips; *Charlie Dean was caught ‘in-the-deep’ by Kathryn Bryce, from Lucy Higham; *Jess Hazell was caught ‘in-the-deep’ by Charli Knott, from Lucy Higham; *Chloe Skelton was ‘stumped’ by keeper Sarah Bryce, from Charli Knott; Somerset women batting: Charlie Dean 41(32); Anika Learoyd 23(19); Bex Odgers 13(11); Jess Hazell 10(16); Blaze women bowling: Lucy Higham 2/6(2); Charley N Phillips 1/10(2); Charli Knott 1/19(4); Kathryn Bryce 1/16(2); Grace Ballinger 1/18(3); Kirstie Gordon 1/22(4); Josie Groves 1/25(3);
The Blaze women wearing orange stripe with over black with half-white vertical trouser stripe and black pads; *skipper Kirstie Gordon; [Jess Hazell keeping wicket for Somerset women]; *With international player Charli Knott (Australia Womens’ Big-Bash League WBBL); *without Nat Sciver-Brunt, Amy Jones or Tammy Beaumont (England Test Match call-up); *Marie Kelly went ‘leg-before’ to Charlie Dean; *Three balls later, Kathryn Bryce was bowled by Charlie Dean for a second-ball ‘duck’; *After 6 overs ‘power-play’ 43/2 (vs 37/2); *Score 71/2 (vs 58/4) by ‘mid-way (after 10 overs); *Sarah Bryce was caught at ‘backward-point’ by Lola Harris, from Charlie Dean; Blaze women batting: Charli Knott 63*not out(43); Sarah Bryce 29(43); Emma Jones 15*not out(5); Somerset women bowling: Charlie Dean 3/24(4);
*Match result: The Blaze (women) 122/3 (@8.5 runs-per-over/target 119 from 14.2/20ov.) beat Somerset (women) 118/8(@5.9 r-p-o from 20ov.) by seven wickets with 34 balls remaining
*Video scorecard, courtesy of ECB via nv play @url: https://live.nvplay.com/ecb/?tab=m_scorecard#me5e80000-9b94-4272-fdaa-08de2c26e3c8
*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: http://4theloveofsport.co.uk/2026/05/17/metro-bank-one-day-cup-league-one-women/
