Women’s One-Day Cup: Hampshire beat The Blaze to go top

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.