Lancashire Women v The Blaze, Metro Bank One Day Cup

Lancashire Women won by 28 runs.

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A half-century and four wickets from all-rounder Fi Morris sealed a rare win for bottom side Lancashire against Metro Bank One Day Cup leaders The Blaze.

The Red Rose, who have endured a disappointing season in both formats, successfully defended a target of 239 against The Blaze who could only make 211 all out in reply despite 64 from Tammy Beaumont.

The Red Rose side were 91-4 after opting to bat but up stepped Seren Smale and Morris as the fifth wicket pair built the innings’ defining partnership with the latter’s half-century coming off 63 balls in the 39th over.

Morris was stumped off Knott and Smale departed for 51 but the pair had added 94 runs and gave the platform for Danielle Collins (22) and Kate Cross (14) to boost the score in the latter stages before Lancashire’s effort closed on 239 all out off the final ball of the innings.

The Blaze were 50-0 after ten overs but Venus Weerappuli with 2-22 and Morris (4-33) brought Lancashire back into contention with Hannah Jones getting the key wicket, bowling Tammy Beaumont for 64.

Fi Morris said:

"I think we were brilliant with the ball and in the field. Obviously we had a little bit of a tough start with the bat, it did quite a lot this morning, it was quite a tricky wicket.

"But I thought we just stuck at it really well to post definitely what we thought was a pretty good total on that. And then we were clinical with the ball and clinical in the field.

"We (herself and Seren Smale) spoke about just having a bit of fun out there. We've both kind of struggled with the bat a little bit recently and I think just took it back to basics. Just watch the ball and let's just play until 40 overs and let's just have a bit of a laugh and remember why we play the game. It seemed to work pretty well.

"So, (it was a) brilliant day. I've got a couple of half-trackers that took wickets but I love batting on wickets that turn a bit. I don't know why it kind of, maybe being a spinner, I quite enjoy the challenge of it. And, obviously, I love bowling on wickets that turn a bit. You don't often get them in this country. So, it's definitely nice playing here."