Surrey and The Blaze secured wins to stay in contention for the Women's T20 Blast Finals Day in 2026.
Surrey and The Blaze returned to victory on Friday, keeping their hopes alive for the Women's T20 Blast Finals Day as the race intensifies. Leaders Surrey delivered a setback to Essex at The Oval, with Jemima Spence recording consecutive half-centuries in her first T20 campaign. Spence's 52 from 31 balls, including nine fours, steered Surrey to a target of 145-6 with 14 balls remaining, despite Grace Scrivens' unbeaten 85 from 63 deliveries. Surrey off-spinner Kalea Moore contributed with figures of 2-19 as Essex fell short.
Durham climbed to second in the standings after a dominant 21-run win over Yorkshire at Headingley. Heather Graham claimed 3-31, while Sophia Turner and Yorkshire-born Katie Levick took two wickets each as Yorkshire was restricted to 89-6 in response to Durham's 155-6. Bess Heath top-scored with 36 off 25 balls, supported by Mia Rogers' 29 not out, despite Sarah Glenn and Hannah Rainey's returns from injury. Alice Clarke's 32 was a late highlight for Yorkshire, but she was bowled by Graham, who now has 12 wickets for the season.
The Blaze moved to third on run rate after an 11-run victory over Warwickshire Bears at Trent Bridge. Meg Austin's 74 from 51 balls, including seven fours and three sixes, wasn't enough as The Blaze defended 151-7. Skipper Marie Kelly contributed 29 from 22 balls, while Emma Jones added 32 from 22, but spinners Georgia Davis (3-24) and Hannah Baker (2-19) disrupted Warwickshire's chase. Grace Ballinger's 17 from 13 and 2-20 with the ball, including Austin's dismissal, sealed the win.
Essex coach Stephen Parry acknowledged the team's challenging position but remained upbeat ahead of their next game. For us to be three out of five, knowing we've got a really big game at home on Sunday to finish this block off is exciting for this group. It looks like we're going to be fighting for a finals place. Parry's side was denied a third straight win despite Scrivens' 85 not out, which included 10 fours and a six.
Surrey leads the table with 10 points from six matches, while Durham and The Blaze are three points behind with a game in hand. Essex sits outside the top four but remains just six points adrift of the leaders. The Blaze's victory marked their fourth win in five games, leaving Warwickshire Bears still searching for their first win of the campaign.