Wins for Blaze and Lancashire in T20 Blast

The Blaze and Lancashire ended their group stage campaigns with victories in the T20 Blast.

Charli Knott hit a vital 84 not out as The Blaze warmed up for Friday’s finals day by edging to a three-wicket win over Yorkshire at Headingley.

Meanwhile, Lancashire needed an unbroken seventh-wicket stand of 60 between Skye Thomas and Kate Cross to beat Durham at Emirates Old Trafford.

In Sunday’s other games, Surrey are playing top-of-the-table Hampshire, while Somerset are hosting Essex.

Knott stars in Blaze win

A notable all-round display from Australian all-rounder Knott helped The Blaze to a helter-skelter victory over Yorkshire.

Last year’s semi-finalists had already qualified for The Kia Oval showpiece but clinched their eighth win in 12 games thanks to bowling the hosts out for 122 and recovering from 41-5 in the eighth over of their chase.

Left-arm swing bowler Grace Ballinger returned 3-31, while Charley Phillips and Kirstie Gordon struck twice apiece added to two run outs.

But Knott’s miserly 1-19 from four overs of off-spin was followed up by a brilliant and composed career best 84 not out off 57 balls.

Yorkshire had three batters make 23 and captain Lauren Winfield-Hill top-scoring with 29 as they missed the chance to claim a fourth straight win.

Academy leg-spinner Holly Garton impressed with 2-17 as The Blaze won with five balls remaining.

Thomas and Cross lead Lancs to win

Wicketkeeper-batter Thomas made an outstanding 55 not out off 38 balls on her senior Lancashire debut to secure a four-wicket victory for her side against Durham.

Having posted just 132-6 in their 20 overs, with skipper Hollie Armitage making 30 and Venus Weerappuli taking 2-20, Durham rose to the task of defending that low score in impressive fashion.

Heather Graham took two wickets as Lancashire slumped to 75-6 in the 13th over but Thomas and the experienced Cross put on an unbroken 60 in seven overs to put a dent in the record of a side who will appear in the Blast finals day on Friday.

Match details supplied by the ECB Reporters’ Network supported by Rothesay.

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