The Blaze Women secured a thrilling four-wicket victory over Warwickshire Women in the Women’s T20 Blast 2026 at Birmingham, completing the chase with four balls remaining in a contest marked by momentum shifts and key contributions from both sides.
Warwickshire Post Competitive Total
Warwickshire Women made a strong start through openers Meg Austin and Abigail Freeborn. The pair put on 95 runs for the first wicket, laying a solid platform. Austin scored 44 from 31 balls, including six fours and a six, while Freeborn anchored the innings with 56 off 45 deliveries, striking six boundaries.
The Blaze broke the partnership when Amu Surenkumar dismissed Georgia Redmayne for 2, triggering a brief collapse as Warwickshire slipped from 95/1 to 100/3 with the loss of Redmayne and Charis Pavely (1).
Surenkumar then counterattacked with a quick 27 off 15 balls, hitting four boundaries, and combined with Natasha Wraith to rebuild the innings. Their efforts took Warwickshire to 135/4 before Freeborn’s departure.
However, the lower order struggled to accelerate in the closing overs. Natasha Wraith scored 5, Mary Taylor added 13, and Alexa Stonehouse was dismissed for 0, as Warwickshire finished on 158/8, losing four wickets for 23 runs late in the innings.
Grace Ballinger led The Blaze’s bowling effort with figures of 3/24, while Lucy Higham claimed 2/16. Charley Phillips, Charli Knott and Georgia Elwiss picked up one wicket each, maintaining pressure during key phases.
Kelly Anchors the Chase
Chasing 159, The Blaze lost Tammy Beaumont early for 15 at 32/1. Captain Marie Kelly then took charge, forming a 63-run partnership with Charli Knott. Knott contributed 27 from 22 balls before departing with the score at 95/2.
Kelly continued to guide the innings, adding 27 runs alongside Georgia Elwiss. Ella Claridge made 13, but wickets at regular intervals kept Warwickshire in contention.
Kelly played a crucial knock of 45 from 32 balls, hitting six fours and a six, before her dismissal gave the hosts a chance to push for a comeback.
Emma Jones Finishes the Job
The match tightened further when Elwiss scored 20 and was dismissed at 156/5, followed immediately by Georgie Boyce falling for a duck at 156/6.
Emma Jones then held her nerve, scoring an unbeaten 27 from 16 balls, including four boundaries. Supported by Lucy Higham, who remained not out on 2, Jones guided The Blaze to 159/6 in 19.2 overs to seal the win.
Warwickshire Bowlers Fight Hard
Warwickshire’s bowlers kept the contest alive throughout the chase. Mary Taylor was the standout performer with 3/22, while Amu Surenkumar delivered an all-round effort with 2/19. Alexa Stonehouse took 1/20, and Charis Pavely bowled economically, conceding 15 runs in two overs.
Despite their efforts, The Blaze held their composure in the closing stages to complete a hard-fought victory.
