Hants beat Blaze to boost One-Day Cup final hopes

Hampshire gave themselves a chance of going straight through to the Women's One-Day Cup final with a seven-wicket victory over The Blaze.

Maia Bouchier's superb 118, her fourth century of the summer, helped Hampshire chase a target of 250 inside 40 overs.

That gave them the extra bonus point to bring them level with The Blaze at the top of the table having completed their 16 group matches.

If the Nottingham based team lose their last group game against Essex on Friday, Hampshire will qualify for the final on 19 September and The Blaze will have to play an eliminator against the team that finishes third in the table.

Despite losing to this season's other form side in Southampton, The Blaze are still heavy favourites to reach their third final in 2026.

They only need to pick up one point against Essex on Friday to make the One-Day Cup showpiece.

Against Hampshire, a number of Blaze batters struggled to kick on after making good starts. Opener Tammy Beaumont top scored with 56 and they finished on 249-7.

Bouchier and Ella McCaughan set the hosts on their way in the chase with an opening stand of 98 before a second-wicket partnership of 116 with Abi Norgrove (52) took Hampshire to 214-1.

Norgrove was dismissed by Grace Ballinger and Bouchier went soon after to Cassidy McCarthy, having struck 16 fours in her 107-ball innings, but the job was already done.

Elsewhere Surrey maintained their hopes of reaching next Wednesday's eliminator as they bowled Warwickshire out for 55 in a 10-wicket victory.

Kate Coppack tore through the Bears batting line-up with 5-22 before Rachel King (41 not out) and Alice Monaghan took Surrey to 59-0 in 10.2 overs.

Somerset also stayed in with a chance of finishing third in the group with a five-wicket win over Lancashire.

Seren Smale's 82 helped Lancashire to 240-9, but a composed unbeaten 77 by Jess Hazell took Somerset home with 13 balls to spare.

Somerset are a point behind third-placed Surrey with both sides facing each other in their final group fixture on Saturday at The Oval. The loser will be knocked out of the competition.

Wednesday's final game saw the table's bottom two sides, Essex and Yorkshire, meet at Chelmsford with the hosts picking up an eight-run victory.

Essex, led by 87 from captain Grace Scrivens, were bowled out for 241 but Yorkshire could only make 233 all out in reply.