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

Metro Bank One-Day Cup, women's competition - The Blaze 249/7 lost to Hampshire 250/3 by seven wickets

By Alex Smith, ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay

Maia Bouchier continued her stunning summer with a fourth century as Hampshire’s hopes of qualifying straight for the Metro Bank One Day Cup Final stayed alive.

Bouchier had only scored a single professional hundred before 2026 but now has five – including two in nine days after a magnificent 118 against The Blaze.

She was the lynchpin in chasing down 250, with partnerships of 98 and 116 with Ella McCaughan and Abi Norgrove.

Because Hampshire chased the total in 40 overs, they picked up the bonus point, which draws them level with The Blaze in the table, and would go straight to the Final if The Blaze lose their last group game against Essex.

Naomi Dattani, captaining in place of the injured Georgia Adams, won the toss and bowled on a pitch that assisted the new ball.

Daisy Gibb got the ball to move around and found a top edge down the deep fine leg at the start of the third over.

That began an 18-ball dot spell as batting looked almost impossible, but once Beaumont had pulled Dattani to the boundary, things flowed slightly more fluently.

Beaumont took the initiative in a 90-run partnership with Kathryn Bryce, laying foundations that were ultimately not substantially built on.

Beaumont has had a mixed season, in which she has retired from international cricket, scored nine fifties and averages under 30 in all competitions.

She was given a life on 34, when she was dropped at mid on, but reached her 75th List A half-century in 63 balls.

But as The Blaze were gaining control, wickets began to fall at regular intervals – every five overs or so – to stymie their potential.

Amanda-Jade Wellington made the breakthrough – by bowling Kathryn Bryce – but it was Tyson who served the most critical damage as she picked up three for 40.

All three of her wickets – of Beaumont, Georgia Elwiss, and Orla Prendergast – were caught in the mid on to deep midwicket cone after building pressure.

Emma Jones, Kirstie Gordon and Lucy Higham all got solid starts, although the former two’s promise was ended by Poppy Tulloch’s fine death bowling.

Hampshire’s target of 250 didn’t look like a mountain, especially with Bouchier’s form, but to make sure they got a bonus point looked a tougher ask.

After another slow start against a swinging ball, Bouchier got things properly moving with a sweet ping over mid on, as she and Ella McCaughan made 98 inside 20 overs.

Even when McCaughan was caught and bowled by Josie Groves, Bouchier crashed the ball around Utilita Bowl at will and with power.

She oozed confidence, helped by the ton she scored for England against Ireland at the start of the month, with barely anything missing the middle of the bat.

The same could be said for Norgrove, who is in her own purple patch having scored four fifties in her last five innings.  The pair looked irresistible.

Bouchier’s 100 came in 97 balls, Norgrove’s 50 in 48 as the tempo was electric.

Both did fall playing aggressive shots, but that just brought Freya Kemp in to finish things explosively and collect the bonus point with a ball to spare.