The 8th match of the ECB Women’s One-Day Cup 2026 at Nottingham on April 15, 2026, delivered a tightly contested encounter, where Lancashire Women and The Blaze Women battled through shifting conditions before the D/L method ultimately decided a thrilling finish. The match had layers of steady rebuilding, crucial partnerships, and timely breakthroughs that kept the contest alive till the very end.
Lancashire Women began their innings with measured intent, but the early loss of Eve Jones for 19 at 1-41 in 11.4 overs provided The Blaze Women with an initial foothold. Emma Lamb then took charge of the innings, showcasing patience and composure as she built partnerships to stabilize the innings. Alongside Gaby Lewis, who managed 7, Lancashire moved to 2-60 before another setback arrived. Seren Smale added a brisk 26 off 28 balls, helping maintain momentum in the middle overs before falling at 3-99 in 22.5 overs.
The innings’ defining phase came through a strong partnership between Emma Lamb and skipper Eleanor Threlkeld. Lamb anchored the innings superbly with a well-crafted 77 off 98 balls, striking 6 boundaries, while Threlkeld contributed a steady 37 off 50 balls. Their stand carried Lancashire to a commanding position at 4-176 in 36.2 overs when Lamb was dismissed. From there, contributions from Fi Morris (13), and smaller inputs from Ailsa Lister (6) and Kate Cross (1) ensured the innings didn’t lose direction despite wickets falling at regular intervals.
Late in the innings, Tara Norris (10 off 10) and Grace Potts (7* off 11) added valuable runs, pushing Lancashire to 223 in 48.3 overs. The Blaze bowling unit delivered a disciplined performance, with Grace Ballinger leading the attack brilliantly, picking up 3 wickets for just 30 runs in her 10 overs. Kirstie Gordon and Charley Phillips supported well with two wickets each, while Kathryn Bryce, Lucy Higham, and Georgia Elwiss chipped in with one wicket apiece. Their collective effort ensured Lancashire were kept under control despite the strong middle-order partnerships.
In response, The Blaze Women’s chase began under pressure as Sarah Bryce was run out for just 1, leaving the score at 1-1 in the very first over. Marie Kelly and Kathryn Bryce then steadied the innings with a composed partnership, gradually rebuilding the chase. Kelly scored a fluent 44 off 64 balls, while Kathryn Bryce contributed 35 off 51, taking the score to 2-68 in 16.2 overs. However, just as the chase seemed to be settling, wickets fell in clusters.
Georgia Elwiss departed for 3 at 3-78, followed by the crucial wicket of Marie Kelly at 4-120 in 24.4 overs, shifting momentum back towards Lancashire. Orla Prendergast then played a crucial counterattacking innings, scoring 40 off 36 balls, keeping The Blaze within touching distance of the revised target. Her dismissal at 5-140 in 27.4 overs set up a tense finish.
Emma Jones (10* off 9) and Ella Claridge (2* off 2) held their nerve in the closing moments, guiding The Blaze Women to 148/5 in 28.3 overs under the D/L method, sealing a narrow 6-run victory.
Lancashire’s bowling effort was competitive throughout, with Tara Norris and Hannah Jones picking up a wicket each while maintaining control. Grace Potts also impressed with her disciplined spell, claiming one wicket, and Emma Lamb added another to her all-round performance. Kate Cross bowled economically, conceding just 26 runs in her 7 overs, though she remained wicketless.
In the end, The Blaze Women’s ability to stay composed in a rain-affected chase proved decisive, as their balanced batting effort and disciplined bowling secured a hard-fought win.
