Lancashire added yet another trophy to their cabinet this season after a confident six-wicket win over Hampshire in the women’s One-Day Cup final at the Utilita Bowl, leaving captain Ellie Threlkeld “quite emotional” and proud of her entire team.
Opener and Ireland captain, Gabby Lewis, hit a sensational 141 not out from 146 balls to sail Lancashire to victory over their competitors. It was the third loss for a Hampshire side in nine days, as their men’s side had failed to claim both the T-20 and One-Day Cup previously.
Lewis excelled at partnerships in this game, making 144 with Seren Smale, who scored 72 respectively, 61 with Threlkeld and an untarnished 46 with Alisa Lister, Lancashire’s saviour for their previous victory in the T-20 county cup back in May.
Resistance from Hampshire captain Georgia Adams, scoring 66, and opener Maia Bouchier, scoring 77, however, their efforts came with no reward.
Hampshire were the favourites heading into finals day, as nine wins from fourteen games left them with a first-place finish in the group stages. However, home ground advantage could not boost Hampshire’s spirits, with them finally settling on 288-6.
With a nearly six-an-over chase and opener Alice Clarke mistakenly run out with only 20 runs on the board, Lancashire were on the back foot and had a mountain of a chase to achieve. The stable partnership of Smaele and Lewis brought composure back to Lanc’s chase but took a knock from a flying diving catch from the safe hands of Freya Kemp.
Ultimately, a solid 17 not out from 14 balls saw Alisa Lister edge the win with her final ball punched down the leg side for a single, with only nine balls left of the game.
In addition to this successful result, Lancashire also claimed victory back in May during the newly established T-20 County Cup.
“Winning’s a habit”, states Lancashire Captain Ellie Threlkeld when asked about the success her team has had this season. “It’s been such a team effort, she continues, “it’s been incredible to see the players grow from an individual point of view and as a team we’ve learned how to win”.
“I was just trying to play every ball as it comes”, relays star batter Gabby Lewis. “Seren got me through a tricky period and then everyone else that came in got me through a rut. We knew it was a good pitch and even at the halfway point, we backed ourselves to chase it down”.
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