Match Report: Lancashire beaten by The Blaze in Vitality T20 County Cup quarter-final
Lancashire Thunder’s defence of the Vitality T20 County Cup has come to an end, after they were beaten by The Blaze at Lady Bay Sports Ground.
The quarter-final clash in Nottingham saw Lancs get bowled out by the reigning Vitality Blast champions for just 95, after earlier restricting the hosts to 160-8 with the ball.
The game got off to a strong start for Chris Read’s side, with fast bowler Tara Norris taking a wicket with just her second ball. She had Marie Kelly caught on the boundary by Scotland international Darcey Carter.
That brought the Bryce sisters, Kathryn and Sarah, to the crease together. They batted through the powerplay, reaching 50 partnership before Venus Weerappulli trapped the former LBW for 33, the highest score of her side’s innings.
Sophie Morris dismissed Sarah Bryce three overs later, with Emma Jones falling to Carter off the final ball of the 12th over. The Blaze fought back well again, though, with Michaela Kirk and Ella Claridge putting on 37 for the fifth wicket.
When Kirk was out, caught by Norris off the bowling of Emma Lamb, Lancashire once again began to take wickets at regular intervals.
It was Grace Potts, fresh off the back of an England call-up, who did all the damage. She bowled Kirstie Gordon, before taking two in her final over, including Claridge, to restrict the hosts to 160-8.
Lancashire’s chase got off to a flier, with openers Emma Lamb and Eve Jones comfortably keeping up with the required run rate. Jones hit 24 from only 18 balls, with five boundaries, before she was stumped by Claridge off the bowling Lucy Higham from the penultimate ball of the powerplay.
When Lamb fell 12 balls later, in the exact same fashion, for a well-made 30, Lancashire began to stumble in their chase.
Captain Ellie Threlkeld, number three Tilly Kesteven, and all-rounder Carter, had all been dismissed by the 10th over, leaving Thunder 68-5 at the halfway point. Josie Groves had picked up two wickets and Kathryn Bryce dismissed international teammate Carter.
Bryce soon removed youngster Skye Thomas, with Groves picking up her third wicket of the day to dismiss Potts first ball. Norris was then caught off the bowling of Higham, looking to take the game on, and Lancashire’s last hopes all but faded with Kate Cross’ dismissal.
The all-rounder was caught by Sarah Bryce to leave her side with just oen wicket in hand. When opening bowler Grace Ballinger had Morris caught by Groves, The Blaze sealed the win to book their place at Finals Day at Emirates Old Trafford Cricket Ground, next Saturday.
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