The Blaze move top of Women's T20 Blast with 15-run win over Lancashire Thunder

The Blaze defeated Lancashire Thunder by 15 runs at Trent Bridge to move one point clear at the top of the Women's T20 Blast table. Tammy Beaumont scored 59 off 40 balls with eight fours as The Blaze posted 135-9. Charli Knott then took career-best figures of 4-17, including a triple-wicket maiden in the seventh over that removed Meg Lanning for 21.

Lancashire Thunder replied with 49 from captain Ellie Threlkeld off 36 balls, but Grace Ballinger claimed her wicket in the 17th over. Georgia Elwiss finished with 3-12 to complete the innings. Grace Potts had earlier taken 5-20 for Thunder, while Grace Ballinger finished with 2-26 for The Blaze.

The result gave The Blaze a fifth win from six matches. Somerset moved level on points with former leaders Surrey in third place after beating Warwickshire by five wickets at Taunton. Warwickshire scored 123-8 after winning the toss, with Meg Austin and Mary Taylor each making 31.

Liv Barnes took 2-20 and Chloe Skelton 2-26. Somerset reached the target with 22 balls remaining. Bex Odgers scored 25 off 16 balls with five boundaries, and Niamh Holland made 42 as the hosts scored 52-2 in the powerplay.

Anika Learoyd contributed 20 during a third-wicket stand of 54. Warwickshire suffered a sixth successive defeat. Hampshire moved up to fifth place, above Essex on net run rate and within six points of the top three after playing one fewer game, after defeating Essex at Chelmsford.

Maia Bouchier scored 87 as Hampshire reached 155-4. Amanda-Jade Wellington took 5-18 including a hat-trick, while Georgia Adams claimed 3-18. Essex were dismissed for 100-9.