Vitality Blast Finals Day: Blaze beat Surrey to reach final

The Blaze will take their place in the Vitality Women’s Blast final at The Oval later on Friday after easing to a six-wicket victory over reigning champions Surrey Women in the first semi-final on Finals Day.

Surrey, put in, were skittled for just 105 in the 16th over of their innings after spin success for Australian all-rounder Charli Knott (4-15) and Josie Groves (2-18). Only three Surrey batters reached double figures.

In response, The Blaze chased down their target with six wickets in hand and 21 balls to spare. They will now await to discover if they face face Hampshire Hawks or Durham in the final.

Grace Ballinger (3-17) claimed the prize wicket of England opener Danni Wyatt-Hodge for a two-ball duck at the beginning of the third over and then dismissed Kira Chathli five deliveries later, when the Surrey keeper ramped straight up in the air to Charley Phillips.

Laura Harris posted a blistering 18 from just seven balls which included three fours and a six to lift Surrey up towards 50, but when she too perished in the powerplay, The Blaze were on top.

Seamer Ballinger had inflicted the early damage, but the track at The Oval is proving to be a turning wicket on Finals Day and Knott and Groves found plenty in the surface to exploit.