Lancashire Women produced a disciplined all-round performance to register a convincing 28-run victory over The Blaze Women in the 42nd match of the ECB Women’s One-Day Cup 2026 at Stanley Park, Blackpool. After electing to bat first, Lancashire had to work hard for every run as The Blaze bowlers repeatedly broke partnerships and prevented any batter from completely taking control. However, crucial middle-order contributions and some valuable late-order runs ensured Lancashire posted a competitive 239 in their allotted 50 overs, a score that ultimately proved beyond The Blaze, who were bowled out for 211 in 47.1 overs.
The innings began cautiously for Lancashire Women as Eve Jones and Emma Lamb looked to negotiate the new ball. The opening partnership added 34 runs before Grace Ballinger struck the first blow, removing Jones for 14 from 28 deliveries. Emma Lamb continued to accumulate runs but could only add 23 runs alongside Katie Mack before falling for 21. Lancashire slipped to 57/2 in the 12.4th over, and when Katie Mack departed for 12 after adding another 11 runs with captain Eleanor Threlkeld, the innings was delicately poised at 68/3.
The Blaze bowlers maintained pressure throughout the middle overs. Eleanor Threlkeld struggled to find momentum and was dismissed for 12, leaving Lancashire at 91/4. At that stage, the match appeared evenly balanced. The turning point of the innings came through a superb 69-run partnership between Seren Smale and Fi Morris. Smale anchored the innings with a composed 51 from 66 balls, striking three boundaries, while Morris played positively throughout her stay. Together they rebuilt the innings from a difficult position and pushed Lancashire past the 100-run mark.
After Smale’s departure at 192/6, Morris continued to dominate the scoring. Her excellent knock of 57 from 68 balls, featuring eight boundaries, provided the backbone of Lancashire’s total. Morris and Danielle Collins added another important 45-run stand, keeping the scoreboard moving during the final overs. Collins contributed a useful 22 from 31 deliveries, while late cameos from Kate Cross (14 off 10), Grace Potts (6 off 4), Hannah Jones (5), and Vinali Weerappuli (1 not out) helped Lancashire finish strongly on 239/10.
The Blaze bowling effort was led by Charli Knott, who delivered an economical spell of 10 overs, claiming 2 wickets for 36 runs. Georgia Elwiss also picked up 2 wickets for 35 runs, while Maria Andrews impressed with 1 for 35 from seven overs. Charley Phillips (1/26), Emma Jones (1/26), Lucy Higham (1/35), and Georgia Elwiss (1/35) all chipped in with vital breakthroughs to prevent Lancashire from reaching an even bigger total.
Chasing 240, The Blaze suffered an early setback when skipper Marie Kelly was dismissed for 32 after sharing a 72-run opening partnership with Tammy Beaumont. The experienced Beaumont held the innings together brilliantly, scoring a patient 64 from 95 balls with five boundaries. However, Lancashire kept striking at regular intervals. Following Kelly’s dismissal, Charli Knott managed only 3, and Georgia Elwiss was removed for 9, leaving The Blaze at 93/3.
Despite the wickets, Beaumont continued to anchor the chase and found support from Prisha Thanawala. The pair added a valuable 62-run partnership for the fifth wicket, briefly reviving The Blaze’s hopes. Thanawala contributed a fighting 39 from 50 balls, while Beaumont’s departure at 159/5 significantly shifted momentum back in Lancashire’s favour. Ella Claridge scored 2, Lucy Higham added 20, and Grace Ballinger chipped in with 6, but none of the middle and lower-order batters could build a match-defining stand.
The Blaze required acceleration in the closing stages, and Charley Phillips provided a late spark with a quick 15 from just 9 deliveries. However, Lancashire’s bowlers remained composed under pressure. The wickets continued to fall, with Thanawala’s dismissal at 173/7 proving particularly crucial. Once she departed, Lancashire tightened their grip and eventually bowled out The Blaze for 211 in 47.1 overs.
Fi Morris capped off an outstanding all-round display by starring with the ball as well, returning figures of 4 for 33 from her 10 overs. Vinali Weerappuli was equally impressive, delivering a miserly spell of 10 overs for 22 runs while claiming 2 wickets. Kate Cross contributed 2 for 49, while Grace Potts and Hannah Jones picked up a wicket apiece. Their collective effort ensured Lancashire successfully defended their total and secured a valuable victory in the ECB Women’s One-Day Cup.
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