Burns' Five-for Leads Blaze to Four-Run Victory over Diamonds

The Blaze, led by a superb bowling performance from Australian allrounder Erin Burns, defended a modest total of 136 to secure a four-run victory over Northern Diamonds in the Charlotte Edwards Cup.

Burns, in her first season with Diamonds, showcased her class with a career-best 5 for 25, including two wickets in the powerplay and two with her final two deliveries. Legspinner Katie Levick also impressed with 3 for 22.

Despite Burns' heroics, Scotland skipper Kathryn Bryce top-scored for The Blaze with 31, while England Under-19 captain Josie Groves remained unbeaten on 24. Blaze skipper Kirstie Gordon led the charge in the field, claiming 3 for 20.

The Blaze emerged from their batting powerplay at 38 for 2, but a middle-order collapse saw them lose four wickets for just 24 runs. Bryce, Sarah Bryce, Ella Claridge, and Nadine de Klerk all fell in quick succession, leaving The Blaze reeling at 84 for 6.

Groves and Michaela Kirk briefly revived the innings with a 36-run partnership, but Kirk's dismissal sparked another collapse as Gordon and Burns wrapped up the innings.

Diamonds began their chase steadily, reaching 39 for 1 in the opening six overs. However, Gordon's left-arm spin proved too much for Hollie Armitage, who was trapped leg before wicket.

Lauren Winfield-Hill and Kathryn Bryce kept Diamonds in the hunt, but a costly over from Groves and two wickets in an over from Bryce swung the momentum in The Blaze's favor.

Winfield-Hill was bowled by Bryce, while Burns ran out Beth Heath. Stere Kallis and Emma Marlow were also dismissed, leaving Diamonds needing an unlikely 19 from the final over.

Despite Katherine Fraser's six over wide midwicket, Diamonds fell five runs short, handing The Blaze their second win from two in the Charlotte Edwards Cup.

Tags: #CharlotteEdwardsCup, #ErinBurns, #KathrynBryce, #KirstieGordon, #NorthernDiamonds