A superb bowling performance from Charley Phillips guided The Blaze to a convincing 92-run victory over Durham in the ECB Women’s One-Day Cup 2026 at the Banks Homes Riverside.
The 22-year-old seamer claimed her maiden List A five-wicket haul, finishing with 5 for 49, after Kirstie Gordon’s crucial half-century had earlier lifted The Blaze to a competitive 240 for 8.
Gordon, Higham Rescue Blaze Innings
After being put into bat, The Blaze found themselves under pressure at 135 for 7, with Katie Levick leading Durham’s effort with three wickets.
Durham made early inroads, removing Tammy Beaumont in the powerplay before Kathryn Bryce followed soon after. Prisha Thanawala countered with a fluent 47 on debut, but regular wickets kept the visitors in check as Levick dismissed Sarah Bryce and Orla Prendergast.
Thanawala’s departure left The Blaze struggling, and further setbacks saw Ella Claridge and Emma Jones fall as Durham tightened their grip on the contest.
However, a vital lower-order stand turned the innings around. Gordon and Lucy Higham combined for an 83-run partnership, steadily rebuilding before accelerating in the latter stages. Higham was eventually dismissed, but Gordon reached her half-century and ensured The Blaze finished strongly on 240 for 8.
Phillips Dismantles Durham Top Order
Durham’s chase of 241 never gathered momentum, as Phillips struck early to dismantle the top order. She removed Emma Marlow and Hollie Armitage in successive deliveries before trapping Tahlia Wilson lbw to leave the hosts reeling.
Grace Ballinger added to the pressure by dismissing Mady Villiers, while Phillips continued her destructive spell by taking two more quick wickets, including Bess Heath, reducing Durham to 36 for 5.
Katherine Fraser then fell to Lucy Higham as Durham’s innings continued to unravel.
Late Resistance Falls Short
Emily Windsor and Grace Thompson provided brief resistance with a 50-run partnership, attempting to rebuild the innings. Thompson looked set for a maiden List A fifty, while Windsor contributed steadily at the other end.
However, Windsor was dismissed by Kathryn Bryce, and Phillips returned to complete her five-wicket haul by removing Sophia Turner.
The Blaze then wrapped up the innings as Trudy Johnson was run out, before Ballinger dismissed Thompson for 49, one run short of a half-century, sealing Durham’s fate at 148.
The comprehensive win marked The Blaze’s fourth victory in the competition, built on a strong recovery with the bat and a standout bowling display led by Phillips.
