In a gripping encounter in the Women’s T20 Blast 2026, Blaze Women pulled off a thrilling three-wicket victory over Lancashire Women with just three balls remaining at Old Trafford, Manchester, chasing down a competitive target of 163 in a match filled with momentum swings, explosive batting, and key bowling spells. The contest delivered everything a T20 fan could ask for, power hitting, crucial partnerships, pressure wickets, and a dramatic finish, making it one of the standout fixtures.
After being invited to bat first, Lancashire Women endured an early setback when Eve Jones departed for 6 off 7 balls, trapped in the fielding brilliance of Marie Kelly off the bowling of Grace Ballinger, leaving the side at 9/1 in 1.6 overs. The pressure intensified shortly after as Darcey Carter managed a brisk 13 from 11 balls with two boundaries before falling to the combination of Kathryn Bryce and Charli Knott, reducing Lancashire to 19/2 in 2.6 overs.
However, the innings found stability through a commanding partnership led by experienced campaigner Meg Lanning. The Australian batter anchored the innings beautifully and absorbed pressure with calculated aggression. Alongside Seren Smale, Lanning added 13 runs for the third wicket, although Smale struggled for fluency and was dismissed for 1 off 8 balls by Sarah Bryce off Charli Knott’s bowling, making it 32/3 in 5.1 overs.
Lancashire’s innings threatened to wobble further when captain Eleanor Threlkeld departed for a duck after facing just two deliveries, dismissed by Kirstie Gordon and Charli Knott, leaving the hosts in trouble at 33/4 in 5.3 overs. But from there, Lanning took complete control. A crucial 29-run partnership for the fifth wicket between Meg Lanning and Fi Morris steadied the innings. Morris contributed a handy 14 from 15 balls, striking two boundaries before falling to Grace Ballinger, who claimed her second wicket as Lancashire slipped to 62/5 in 10.1 overs.
The defining phase of the innings came through a brilliant 100-run unbeaten partnership between Meg Lanning and Ailsa Lister. Lanning played a sensational unbeaten knock of 81 from 49 balls, smashing nine fours and three sixes at a strike rate of 165.30, while wicketkeeper-batter Ailsa Lister provided excellent support with 39 not out off 28 balls, including three boundaries and a six. Their partnership lifted Lancashire to a highly competitive 162/5 in 20 overs, with eight extras aiding the total.
For Blaze Women with the ball, Grace Ballinger (4-0-14-2) and Charli Knott (4-0-23-2) emerged as the standout performers, striking at important moments and restricting momentum in the middle overs. Kirstie Gordon bowled economically despite conceding 35 runs for no wicket, while Kathryn Bryce and Georgia Elwiss chipped in with disciplined spells.
Chasing 163 for victory, Blaze Women began cautiously but lost Marie Kelly for 4 in the second over, dismissed by Eve Jones off Grace Potts, with the score at 5/1 in 1.5 overs. The innings soon gained momentum thanks to an attacking 71-run partnership between Tammy Beaumont and Kathryn Bryce. Beaumont looked in sublime touch, playing an entertaining knock of 54 off just 29 deliveries, hammering six fours and three sixes at a stunning strike rate of 186.20.
Bryce complemented her well with 22 off 18 balls, but Lancashire clawed back as Carter removed Beaumont and Bryce fell shortly after, leaving Blaze at 87/3 in 9.6 overs. The pressure mounted when Georgia Elwiss scored a brisk 10 before becoming Hannah Jones’ wicket, while Charli Knott managed just 3, dismissed by Eve Jones, making it 100/5 in 11.6 overs. At that point, the game hung in the balance, but a composed 59-run partnership between Sarah Bryce and Emma Jones shifted momentum back towards Blaze Women.
Sarah Bryce played a measured yet impactful innings of 32 from 22 balls, striking three boundaries, while Emma Jones added a useful 8 off 8 balls before falling to Kate Cross, with Blaze needing finishing touches at 114/6 in 13.6 overs. The chase went deep when Bryce departed for 32 at 159/7 in 19.1 overs, but captain Kirstie Gordon remained calm under pressure, finishing unbeaten on 20 off 18 balls, while Lucy Higham chipped in with an unbeaten 4 off 2 balls to guide Blaze Women home at 163/7 in 19.3 overs, sealing victory by three wickets.
For Lancashire Women, Fi Morris (4-0-25-3) starred with the ball and nearly turned the contest in her side’s favour. Grace Potts (3.3-0-29-2) and Hannah Jones (4-0-33-1) also made important contributions, while Kate Cross and Darcey Carter claimed one wicket each in a spirited bowling effort.
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