Lancashire led by skipper Eleanor Threlkeld were up against the Blaze led by skipper Kirstie Gordon in the first semi-final of the 2025 Women’s One Day Cup. The journey of Lancashire and the Blaze to the knockout stages has been one marked with consistency and a lot of promise.
The Blaze finished 2nd on the points table in the league stages with 45 points from 14 games, including 9 wins, three defeats and a washed-out game in the league stages. Lancashire put on a similar display with 41 points from 14 games with 9 wins, 4 defeats and a washed-out game, placing them 3rd in the league stages.
Skipper Eleanor Threlkeld and Ailsa Lister revive Lancashire to a respectable total
The Kirstie Gordon-led The Blaze trusted her bowling unit to have the first say in a crucial knockout game on winning the toss. A decision paid rich dividends as Lancashire were reduced to 52/4 in the 18th over of the innings courtesy of an impressive spell from the Blaze new-ball bowlers.
Ailsa Lister joined skipper Eleanor Threlkeld at the crease with their side in deep trouble and the opposition bowlers steaming in and breathing fire. The duo kept their composure and calm to build the Lancashire innings brick by brick over by over, keeping the bowlers at bay. The batters grew in confidence as the partnership grew in larger proportions.
The Lancashire surpassed the 200-run mark, the Blaze skipper Kirstie Gordon searching for a breakthrough, brought herself on and the move worked as she ended an ominous stay of Ailsa Lister (96 off 91 balls) just four runs short of her well-deserved century, breaking a massive 166-run stand for the 5th wicket in the 48th over of the innings.
Lancashire ended up with a decent total of 241/6 in their quota of 50 overs, largely due to the 5th wicket stand. Skipper Eleanor Threlkeld (92 off 128 balls) played a crucial role, while Kate Cross (11 off 9 balls) chipped in with a crucial cameo with the bat for her side.
Cassidy McCarthy (7-1-29-2), and Orla Prendergast (10-1-26-1) were impressive with the ball for the Blaze, while skipper Kirstie Gordon (9-0-48-1), and Kathryn Bryce (10-0-49-0) played their part with the ball for their side.
Kathryn Bryce century in vain as Blaze fell short by a whisker
Chasing a target of 242, The Blaze found themselves in a similar position when they were reduced to 37/3, losing their top-order inside the powerplay. Georgia Elwiss joined Kathryn Bryce at the crease, and the duo scripted a remarkable rescue act with a much-needed 150-run partnership for the 4th wicket, also taking them closer to the 200-run mark.
Fi Morris broke the ominous stand by sending Georgia Elwiss (55 off 86 balls) back to the pavilion in the 42nd over of the innings. She completed a gritty half-century before getting dismissed. Post her departure, the Blaze never regained momentum as they kept losing wickets at regular intervals. The Blaze (236/9) eventually fell agonisingly short of the target 5 runs, despite a spirited fightback from the lower-order Kirstie Gordon (14* off 12 balls) alongside Kathryn Bryce (124 off 142 balls) scored a fighting century for her side.
Kate Cross (10-2-47-3), and Grace Potts (8-0-32-3) picked up three wickets each with the ball for Lancashire, while Fi Morris (7-0-40-2), Hannah Jones (10-0-36-0), and Mahika Gaur (10-0-53-1) played their part with the ball for their side. The win ensured a spot for Lancashire in the grand finale on 21st September 2025 at Southampton from 3 PM IST.
