Lancashire Thunder clinched a nail-biting four-wicket victory over Somerset in the Vitality Blast at Taunton, thanks to a composed knock from Ailsa Lister. Chasing 133, Listerβs unbeaten 28 off 19 balls guided Thunder to the target with just two balls to spare.
The visitors had looked set for a comfortable win when openers Emma Lamb and Eve Jones built a solid 60-run stand. But a sensational bowling performance from Somerset’s Charlie Dean, who took 4 for 9, turned the match into a tense contest.
Needing eight runs from the final over, Lister held her nerve. She edged Alex Griffiths for four and then sealed the victory with another boundary, showcasing incredible composure under pressure.
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Somersetβs Struggles Despite Gritty Batting Effort
Batting first, Somerset were restricted to 132 for 7, with Kate Cross (3 for 21) and Sophie Morris (2 for 33) leading the way for Thunder. The hosts, missing key players Heather Knight and Dani Gibson, stumbled early, losing two wickets for just 26 runs.
Fran Wilson and Sophie Luff tried to rebuild the innings but fell in quick succession, reducing Somerset to 85 for 6. However, Amanda-Jade Wellington (25 off 14) and Alex Griffiths (27 off 18) mounted a late counterattack, adding 45 runs in under five overs to give Somerset a fighting chance.
Thunderβs reply started with strong momentum, with Jones and Lamb exploiting loose bowling to reach 60 in the ninth over. But Dean’s sharp bowling removed both openers and triggered a collapse.
Lister, however, had other plans. With back-to-back sixes in the 18th over and a calm finish in the final over, she ensured Lancashire secured their third win in six matches, keeping their top-four hopes alive. Somerset, on the other hand, now have just one result from five games, with their playoff chances hanging by a thread.
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