BIRMINGHAM — The Birmingham Bears and The Blaze have secured their spots in the Women's T20 Blast Finals Day after thrilling victories in the semi-finals, with standout performances from Davina Perrin and a dominant display from The Blaze against Southern Vipers.
The Bears, led by a sensational 70 from 17-year-old Davina Perrin, overcame Hampshire by 28 runs in a high-scoring encounter at Edgbaston. Meanwhile, The Blaze continued their unbeaten run in the competition, defeating Southern Vipers by 7 wickets to book their place in the finals. Surrey and Durham also claimed victories in their respective matches, rounding off an action-packed day of women's T20 cricket.
Davina Perrin Shines for Birmingham Bears
Teenage prodigy Davina Perrin announced herself on the big stage with a blistering 70 off just 42 balls, including 9 fours and 2 sixes, as the Bears posted a formidable 176/5. Perrin, who has been tipped as a future star for England, showcased her fearless batting against a strong Hampshire attack. "I just wanted to play my natural game and back myself," Perrin said after the match. "The team has been so supportive, and it's amazing to contribute to such a big win."
Hampshire, in reply, fought hard with opener Emily Windsor scoring a valiant 58, but the Bears' bowlers held their nerve. Key contributions came from:
- Hannah Baker (2/25)
- Georgia Davis (1/22)
- Issy Wong (1/30)
The Bears' fielding was also exceptional, with two crucial run-outs turning the tide in their favor. Captain Amy Jones praised her team's all-round performance: "Davina was outstanding, but this was a complete team effort. We’re excited for Finals Day."
The Blaze Continue Dominance
The Blaze, the tournament's most consistent side, made light work of Southern Vipers, chasing down 143 with 7 wickets and 12 balls to spare. Tammy Beaumont (45) and Sarah Glenn (38*) anchored the chase after a disciplined bowling performance restricted the Vipers to 142/7.
Highlights from The Blaze's innings included:
- Beaumont's 45 off 32 balls
- Glenn's unbeaten 38 off 24
- Kathryn Bryce's economical 2/20
Vipers' captain Georgia Adams admitted her side was outplayed: "The Blaze were just too good today. We’ll regroup and come back stronger."
Surrey and Durham Secure Wins
In other matches, Surrey defeated South East Stars by 5 wickets, thanks to a composed 52* from Bryony Smith. Durham, meanwhile, edged past Thunder in a low-scoring thriller, with Phoebe Turner taking 3/15 to restrict Thunder to 112/9 before a nervy chase saw Durham home with 3 wickets in hand.
Looking Ahead to Finals Day
Finals Day promises to be a spectacle, with the Bears and The Blaze set to clash alongside the winners of the remaining semi-finals. The Bears will rely on their young stars, while The Blaze's experience and depth make them favorites. "It’s anyone’s game now," said Perrin. "We’ll give it everything."
Cricket fans can expect fireworks as the best teams in the competition battle for the Women's T20 Blast title. With emerging talents like Perrin and established stars like Beaumont in the mix, the finals are set to be a celebration of women's cricket at its finest.
The action kicks off at 10:30 AM on Finals Day, with live coverage available on Sky Sports and BBC Radio. Don’t miss what promises to be an unforgettable day of cricket.