Match preview: The Blaze v Lancashire Thunder, Vitality Women's T20 County Cup
David Thorley has a photo up in his office at home celebrating Lancashire’s Vitality County T20 Cup title triumph last May. Well, as this weekend approaches, the Red Rose director of women’s cricket is hoping to find space on his wall for another one to go alongside.
“I may have to remove some photos of the kids,” joked Thorley, tongue firmly in cheek.
“From a personal point of view it was probably the highlight of my career so far. From a players perspective, and the other staff as well, it was so exciting. It was a real culmination of everything we've been doing the last five or six years.
“It was a really special memory, and I've got a picture printed of it in my office where you can sit back at it sometimes and just look and reflect.
“Ultimately, that's what we want to get to this year.”
So, to this year. Lancashire face The Blaze in Sunday’s (2.30pm) quarter-final at the Lady Bay ground in Nottingham, a venue a stone’s throw away from Trent Bridge.
The prize, a Finals Day appearance at Emirates Old Trafford a week on Saturday.
“Last year was a real goosebumps moment for us, but it can’t just be a one off,” continued Thorley. “We need to be in Finals Days, in quarter finals, semi finals, finals - whatever it might be - regularly.”
Lancashire beat Buckinghamshire at Neston in the third round to set up a repeat of last year’s semi-final. The Blaze, meanwhile, beat Durham.
Since then, The Blaze have gone on to win the Vitality Blast T20 title and are eyeing the domestic treble. They are also top of the group standings in the 50-over Metro Bank One-Day Cup, which resumed earlier this week.
Lancashire weren’t actually in action like the majority of teams on Wednesday. The Blaze beat Durham at Trent Bridge, meanwhile.
“Missing the first round back in the 50-over stuff is a positive in that our mindset is all on the County Cup,” said Thorley. “It’s something really exciting to come back into after a little bit of time away.
“It’s a knockout game against really good opposition, and we want to get back to Emirates Old Trafford and defend our trophy.
“It’s at this point in the season where we have to put the programme and discussions into performances so we're creating something significant in August and September.”
Ireland captain Gaby Lewis has returned to the county to complete the season as overseas player, though competition rules are that no overseas players will feature. Top-order batter Lewis has missed the bulk of the One-Day Cup campaign through injury.
“Gaby can’t play Sunday, and she misses another game which clashes with the England v Ireland series,” added Thorley. “Once that series is done, she's with us until the end of the season.
“It was exciting to start the season with her in the team, and for her to get a century first match of the season up at Durham was fantastic. To then get an injury just disrupted a lot of our plans.
“She brings a lot of stability and experience despite her young age (25).
“To have her back, it’s pretty exciting when you look at that potential top three of Jones, Lamb and Lewis.”