Report & Reaction: Hampshire Women v Lancashire, Metro Bank One Day Cup

Metro Bank One-Day Cup women's competition - Hampshire 223 lost to Lancashire 224/6 by four wickets

By Alex Smith, ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay

Kate Cross marked the start of her farewell tour from professional cricket with four wickets as Lancashire stayed in the hunt for a knockout place in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup.

England great Cross confirmed she would end her 21-year association with Lancashire and Emirates Old Trafford teams at the end of this season.

In her first match since her announcement, she claimed three wickets with the new ball before ending up with four for 33 – her best figures of the campaign.

Emma Lamb led the chase of 224 with 68, to make sure Lancashire resumed where they left off before The Hundred break – with a third straight win.

Lancashire, who won this competition at Utilita Bowl last season, chose to bowl and immediately unleashed Cross.

She kept Ella McCaughan playing for four balls before nibbling one through before following it up with an almost identical delivery to castle Georgia Adams.

The 102-time international then left Hampshire 29 for three when Maia Bouchier couldn’t keep a clip to midwicket down – Cross’ first five-over spell returning three for 15.

Freya Kemp, preparing for England’s series against Ireland, countered with an explosive 61 from 54 balls, with her legside striking particularly powerful.

She and Rhianna Southby set the hosts in the right direction, but after both had departed, Abi Norgrove continued their work.

Norgrove dominated the scoring while batting with the tail to get Hampshire to what felt like a semi-defendable 223.

Her 70, the fourth time she had reached a half-century in the One-Day Cup this season, was built on her composure and ability to rotate the strike.

Lamb made sure Lancashire stayed in control, though, by pinning Naomi Dattani and bowling Amanda-Jade Wellington.

But Norgrove found willing tail-enders in Poppy Tulloch and Daisy Gibb before Cross halted a truly competitive score from sprouting by bowling Bex Tyson to end up with four.

The chase never demonstrated any thrills, but stayed around the required rate and kept wickets in hand.

Eve Jones took her determination to not get out to the nth degree with a 45-ball 16 before she was bowled by Adams, while century-maker in last year’s final Gaby Lewis was leg before to Wellington before she could get going.

But Lamb took charge of the scoreboard with poise, to grab 68 and her third 50-plus score of the One-Day Cup.

Lamb was caught when she scooped straight up, and Tilly Kesteven and Ellie Threlkeld couldn’t capitalise on decent starts.

There was a minor delay after the sprinklers went off in the outfield, but when play resumed, Seren Smale took over as the lead chaser with a nerveless 42.

Because Durham lost to Somerset, Hampshire could have guaranteed a spot in at least the Eliminator, but will have to wait another day.

Whereas Lancashire stay on the coattails of the chasing pack – sitting a victory away from the top three.