Match Preview: Lancashire Thunder v The Blaze, Vitality Blast Women
Lancashire Thunder v The Blaze
Vitality Blast, Women
Monday May 25, 2026, 10.30am
Emirates Old Trafford
Squad to face The Blaze
For all Meg Lanning has done in the game - runs galore, countless trophies - she gets to experience something new this Bank Holiday Monday.
“I haven’t actually played at Emirates Old Trafford before,” smiled the Australian batting legend.
Lanning, 34-years-old, made her Lancashire debut in yesterday’s opening day Vitality Blast defeat to defending champions Surrey at the Kia Oval, scoring 40 off 22 balls from number three in a 185-7 total which was overhauled by the hosts, who won by six wickets with seven balls to spare.
She now gets to walk out in front of her home supporters for the first time, with the Thunder taking on The Blaze at 10.30am.
“It’s an exciting opportunity to play with Lancs,” said the ex-Aussie captain. “I’m in a new competition, I haven’t been a part of it before, and I’ve heard really good things. So to be able to come here and experience it for the first time is something I’m really looking forward to.
“It's a really exciting competition and creates really good opportunities for experienced players but also some of the younger players as well to come through and show everybody what they've got.
“It's been improving year on year in terms of the spectacle of the game and the crowds and the excitement around it. Hopefully this year is no different.”
Lanning knows Lancashire players such as Kate Cross and Sophie Ecclestone from previous international battles. She has previously played with Cross in the Big Bash for Perth Scorchers. She also knows Tara Norris and Hannah Jones having played with them in competitions such as the WPL in India and The Hundred.
“I obviously know Alana King, who played here last year, and she thoroughly enjoyed it,” continued Singapore-born star Lanning.
“It’s just a cool opportunity for me, something new, taking me out of my comfort zone a little bit.
“I really like new challenges, and I think that's important for me at this stage - to keep things fresh and go out there and try some new things.
“Hopefully it plays out well for the team and myself as well.”
On the prospect of a home debut, Lanning went on: “I've watched a lot of games on TV here, and to be able to come out here and experience it, hopefully there's a really big crowd backing us up.”
Lanning goes straight from the Blast into The Hundred with the Manchester Super Giants.
“That was one of the draw-cards I guess,” she said. “To be able to spend some time in one spot, get used to the people and the county and how that sort of operates.
“I've experienced teams and organisations over in Australia, but not so much outside. So it’s good opportunity for me to see how things work and try and learn a bit off them while also giving back as much as I can.”
Last year’s semi-finalists The Blaze won their opening match against Yorkshire on Friday afternoon, by four wickets chasing 180.
Coached by former New Zealand men’s batter Craig Cumming - in his second season in charge - they are captained by spin-bowling all-rounder Kirstie Gordon.
Emerging new-ball seamer Charley Phillips claimed three wickets against Yorkshire before Australian overseas batting all-rounder Charli Knott led the chase with an excellent 57 off 29 balls.
This is part of a daily double header with Lancashire’s men. They face Nottinghamshire from 4pm. Like the women, the Lightning are also aiming to bounce back from an opening day defeat to Surrey on Friday.
Opposition player to watch
Queenslander Charli Knott, 23, is an example of the depth of talent in Australian Cricket.
She has starred in recent seasons for the Brisbane Heat and the Queensland state team. The latter won the WNCL 50-over title back in March. She has impressed largely with the bat but with her off-spinners too.
Yet she hasn’t been able to break into the national team.
Knott played for the Southern Vipers in regional cricket in 2024 and Hampshire in county cricket last summer.
She batted five for The Blaze against Yorkshire on Friday and steered a chase of 180 from 63-3 in the eighth over with an ‘old head on young shoulders approach’.
Getting her out cheaply will be key to Lancashire’s hopes of success in this morning match-up.
Previous meeting
Thunder and The Blaze played each other in three T20 matches last summer, the Red Rose winning one and the Notts’ side the other two.
Lancashire won the semi-final of the Vitality County T20 Cup at Taunton at the end of May, going on to win that title later in the day. Unfortunately, though, The Blaze won both matches in the Blast.
They were seven-wicket winners at Emirates Old Trafford, also at the end of May - five days after the County Cup game, as they chased 170 with comfort.
They then won the return clash by five wickets at Leicestershire’s Grace Road in mid-June, chasing 151.
That game saw Lancashire post 150-9 thanks largely to a stunning 79 off 38 balls in the middle order from Scotland’s Ailsa Lister.
She led the recovery from 65-4 in the 12th over, with the seam of Australian Heather Graham claiming three wickets.
As it proved. the recovery was only to respectability, with The Blaze chasing with relative comfort, despite falling to 6-1 after seven balls with England opener Tammy Beaumont falling to Kate Cross.
Cross’s new-ball partner Tara Norris struck twice, but it wasn’t enough as England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt contributed 31 and Georgia Elwiss an unbeaten 43 from the middle order.
A home victory was secured with 10 balls remaining.
The Blaze went on to lose in the semi-final to Warwickshire.
;