Cricket

The Blaze continued their impressive start to the Charlotte Edwards Cup with a thrilling five-wicket victory over Thunder at Loughborough.Thunder, put into bat, were lifted to a competitive 151 for 6 by a pugnacious fifth-wicket partnership of 73 from 50 balls between Emma Lamb (63*) and Ailsa Lister (44). Grace Ballinger led the Blaze bowling with 2 for 25.In reply, Blaze were guided to victory by a composed 61 from Kathryn Bryce. Mahika Gaur removed both openers early on her way to 3 for 39, but Bryce's timely intervention in the closing overs proved decisive.Thunder's innings began brightly, but they lost early wickets to Ballinger and Lucy Higham. Lamb and Lister then steadied the ship with a rapid half-century stand, but Lister's dismissal triggered a mini-collapse.Blaze's reply also started poorly, with Gaur removing Marie Kelly and Teresa Graves cheaply. However, the Bryce sisters rebuilt the innings with a 47-run partnership before Sarah Bryce departed.Nadine de Klerk provided a brief flurry with 14 from three balls, but her dismissal left Blaze needing 24 from the last four overs. Kathryn Bryce then took charge, smashing three consecutive sixes off Hannah Jones to put her side on the brink of victory.Ella Claridge finished the job with a cameo of 18 not out from 10 balls, securing Blaze's third successive win.

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.

Scotland's historic qualification for the T20 Women's World Cup is a testament to the team's resilience and the growing strength of women's cricket worldwide. Led by captain Kathryn Bryce, the Scots stunned favorites Ireland in the semi-final, securing their first-ever appearance at the global tournament.Bryce's early wickets set the tone for Scotland's victory, silencing the Irish crowd and instilling a sense of belief in her team. The opener Megan McColl and Bryce then chased down the target with ease, with Bryce hitting the winning runs to seal the historic triumph.Bryce attributed the team's success to their recent performances against Ireland and their belief in their own abilities. She emphasized the importance of early wickets in a crucial match, as they can "stun a team a little bit."The Scotland captain also highlighted the growth of women's cricket, evidenced by the competitive nature of the qualifying groups. She believes that Scotland's World Cup appearance will inspire young girls in the country and make the sport more accessible and enjoyable for all.Bryce's own journey to the World Cup began in her grandmother's garden, where she and her sister Sarah emulated their idols, Katherine Sciver-Brunt and Sarah Taylor. She hopes that Scotland's success will attract new fans to cricket and encourage more girls to take up the sport.

Scotland's Women's Cricket Team has made history by qualifying for their first-ever T20 World Cup after defeating Ireland in the semi-finals of the qualifiers. Captain Kathryn Bryce led the charge for Scotland, showcasing her all-around abilities with a brilliant performance both with the ball and the bat.Bryce's exceptional bowling display set the tone for Scotland's victory. She struck twice in the opening over, dismissing both Irish openers for ducks. Her relentless pace and accuracy continued to trouble the Irish batters, as she completed her four-wicket haul by the seventh over, reducing Ireland to a precarious 25 for 5.Ireland's recovery efforts were led by Leah Paul and Rebecca Stokell, who added 22 runs for the sixth wicket. However, Abtaha Maqsood's dismissal of Stokell halted their momentum. Paul and Arlene Kelly then combined for a 60-run partnership, with Kelly contributing 35 runs and Paul scoring 45 before being dismissed in the final over.In response, Scotland's openers, Megan McColl and Saskia Horley, provided a solid start with a 49-run partnership. McColl was the more aggressive of the two, reaching her half-century in the 15th over. However, she was dismissed shortly after by Kelly.Bryce joined McColl at the crease and formed a crucial partnership worth 49 runs. Bryce's aggressive batting, including three boundaries and a six, kept Scotland's momentum going. The duo steadily chipped away at the target, ensuring Scotland's victory with 22 balls to spare.Bryce's all-round performance was instrumental in Scotland's historic triumph. Her four-wicket haul and unbeaten 35 runs showcased her versatility and leadership qualities. Scotland's qualification for the T20 World Cup is a testament to their hard work, determination, and the exceptional talent of their players.