Gaby Lewis Leads Lancashire to Historic Women’s One Day Cup Victory
Lancashire clinched the inaugural Metro Bank Women’s One Day Cup title after a commanding performance against Hampshire, winning by six wickets at the Utilita Bowl in Southampton on August 6, 2023. Opener Gaby Lewis starred with the bat, scoring an impressive 141 not out off 143 balls, guiding her team to a successful chase of 289 runs with nine balls remaining.
Earlier in the match, Hampshire had posted a total of 288 for 6 in their allotted 50 overs. Captain Georgia Adams led from the front with a solid innings of 77, while Maia Bouchier contributed 66 runs. Despite the strong start, Hampshire lost momentum in the final overs, particularly after Adams was dismissed in the 46th over. The late wickets fell quickly, hindering their ability to capitalize on a good foundation.
In response, Lancashire faced an early scare when they lost Alicia Clarke for just 3 runs. However, Lewis and Seren Smale stabilized the innings with a formidable partnership of 144 runs. Smale scored 72 runs off 85 balls before Lewis continued her onslaught, supported by Ellie Threlkeld (32) and Ailsa Lister (17 not out), sealing the victory.
Hampshire’s bowling attack featured Grace Potts, who took 3 wickets for 47 runs, but it was not enough to halt Lancashire’s charge. The match summary reflects Hampshire’s innings as follows:
Hampshire 288-6 from 50 overs: Georgia Adams (77), Maia Bouchier (66), Freya Kemp (41); Grace Potts (3-47)
Lancashire 289-4 from 48.3 overs: Gaby Lewis (141), Seren Smale (72), Ellie Threlkeld (32); Freya Davies (1-38)
This victory marks a challenging period for Hampshire, as they have now lost three finals in nine days. Just a day prior, their men’s team was defeated by Worcestershire in the One Day Cup final. Additionally, the men’s team faced a loss to Somerset in the Vitality Blast final the weekend before.
Despite their recent setbacks, Hampshire’s women’s team performed admirably throughout the tournament, finishing at the top of the group stage with nine wins and just one defeat. Their earlier victory against Lancashire by eight wickets during round three showcased their potential, but they could not replicate that success in the final.
Lancashire’s triumph in the Women’s One Day Cup adds to their achievements this season, having previously won the Vitality T20 Women’s County Cup. As the cricket season progresses, teams like Surrey and Northern Superchargers also enjoyed success in their respective competitions, with Surrey claiming the Women’s Vitality Blast and the Northern Superchargers emerging victorious in the women’s version of The Hundred.
As the dust settles on this thrilling final, the focus will shift to the upcoming matches, where both Lancashire and Hampshire will look to build on their experiences, striving for excellence in future tournaments.
