Former Australia captain Meg Lanning’s superb 81 from 49 balls was not enough to secure victory for Lancashire Thunder as the Blaze successfully chased 163 at Emirates Old Trafford.
England opener Tammy Beaumont’s 54 off 29 balls was key as The Blaze clutched a win on the road in the final over.
The Blaze began under the scorching heat with a strong start from bowler Grace Ballinger (2-14) in just the second over as she stopped Thunder batter Eve Jones before she could really hit her stride.
In her 50th appearance for the home side, it clearly wasn’t the special start Jones was after. But a lifeline for Lancashire came in overseas star Meg Lanning, who posted a fantastic 81 not out as wickets tumbled around her.
Charley Phillips removed Jones and Carter before the off-spin of Australian overseas all-rounder Charli Knott accounted for Smale and Threlkeld in the space of three balls in the sixth over.
The Blaze probably thought this was game over, but then walked out overseas star Meg Lanning.
Her unbeaten 81 from 49, which included seven fours and three sixes, which brought security after the home side’s rocky start.
The first innings didn’t really see many long stays for the Thunder batters, with dismissals from Charley Phillips (1-46) rattling them and Charli Knott (2-33) taking out captain Ellie Threlkeld, who departed without scoring for a duck.
This streak was broken by a lovely strike from Alisa Lister. Between them, Lanning and Lister posted a competitive score, leaving Thunder with 162-5 to defend.
However, this was nothing compared to what The Blaze posted. They got off to a fairly shaky start with openers Tammy Beaumont (54-29) and Marie Kelly (4-8) contending with the firepower of bowler Tara Norris and conceding a wicket in the second over.
Their luck then changed when Kathryn Bryce came to the crease. Bryce and Beaumont began pushing the ball over the tight field and committing to the precise nature of power-hitting. With the forecast showering 4’s and 6’s, Lancashire knew they had to strike back and break this ever-growing partnership.
There was only one woman for the job: Darcy Carter, taking out titan Tammy Beaumont and her middle stump with a slick spell of bowling.
The wickets then started to fall for the Thunder as Kathryn Bryce fell for 22-18 after a stylish catch by Kate Cross and a controversial stumping, taking Georgia Elwiss for 10-8.
Fi Morris continued the wicket hauls with the dismissals of both Charli Knott (3-5) and Emma Jones (8-8), but it wasn’t enough to stop Sarah Bryce (32-22) as she steadily stormed down the chase.
With a couple of small breakthroughs leading to a partnership with captain Kristie Gordan (20-18) that ultimately left the Blaze with a run-a-ball to chase going into the final over.
Hope was on the horizon as Grace Potts released her first ball. The ball sailed towards Sarah Bryce’s bat and then safely into the hand of keeper Ellie Threlkeld, giving Thunder the breakthrough they needed.
But the team’s hope was slowly wiped away as on her first ball, Lucy Higham swept the batters for an easy two runs. With just 2 runs to win and a confident batter at the crease, The Blaze secured a victory with 3 balls to spare.
