Summary

  • Play abandoned for the day in the final after a thunder storm hits New Road

  • The Blaze reached 53-4 after 9.3 overs against Southern Vipers after winning the toss and choosing to bat

  • The Blaze were unbeaten in the group stage, including win over Vipers

  • Defending champions Southern Vipers beat Thunder by 18 runs in semi-final

  • Vipers posted 191-6 after Wyatt (76) and Bouchier (56) put on 108 for first wicket

  • Morris top scored with 36 as Thunder fell short on 173-8

  1. Play abandoned for the daypublished at 18:13 British Summer Time 10 June 2023
    Breaking

    The Blaze 53-4 v Southern Vipers

    New Road, Worcester, after the thunder storm during the Charlotte Edwards Cup finalImage source, PA Media

    We won't get a conclusion to the Charlotte Edwards Cup final today. Play has been abandoned for the day because of the storms and rain that began about an hour and a half ago.

    There is a reserve day scheduled, and plans for play tomorrow are currently being finalised.

    Keep an eye on the BBC cricket page for a report on today's action, a finalised plan for Sunday and details of our coverage.

  2. Not looking good....published at 18:08 British Summer Time 10 June 2023

    The Blaze 53-4 v Southern Vipers

    An update of sorts from Southern Vipers...

    "There is no update," they say. "Still wet. Still thunder. Still lightning.

    "We can technically play to 8:30pm tonight if conditions allow but there is a reserve day tomorrow."

  3. India chasing record 444 to beat Australiapublished at 17:55 British Summer Time 10 June 2023

    The Blaze 53-4 v Southern Vipers

    Remember, there is still cricket going on today down at The Oval where the storm clouds have not gathered... at least not yet.

    In the World Test Championship final, India are 158-3 chasing 444 to win.

    Virat Kohli is unbeaten on 39 and Ajinka Rahane on 20, with their partnership currently an unbroken 65.

    You can follow all the action with Ffion Wynne.

  4. Update from Worcesterpublished at 17:47 British Summer Time 10 June 2023

    The Blaze 53-4 v Southern Vipers

    A minor weather update for you on conditions at New Road via The Blaze's Twitter account.

    They say: "We're still waiting for the rain to pass in Worcester. The cut-off point for play is 8:30 pm (20:30 BST)."

    My best guess is unless it stops raining and soon, any cut-off point will be irrelevant.

  5. Wet in Worcesterpublished at 16:53 British Summer Time 10 June 2023

    The Blaze 53-4 v Southern Vipers

    Rain lashes New Road in WorcesterImage source, PA Media

    As you can see, it is very, VERY dark and pretty soggy at New Road as the storm passes over.

    With our radio colleagues pausing their coverage, we're going to do likewise for now - but we'll be back with an update on the weather and a possible resumption when we have it.

  6. 'It is hammering down'published at 16:45 British Summer Time 10 June 2023

    The Blaze 53-4 v Southern Vipers

    Charles Dagnall
    Commentator on the ECB live stream

    These incredibly dark clouds have come from over the cathedral and are right above us. Getting the covers on is very tough in the breeze and heavy, heavy rain. It is teeming down. As they would say in Lancashire it is bouncing down.

    I feel very sorry for the ground staff and the camera crew who are rushing to find bin bags to put over their cameras.

    There are group of supporters trying to find shelter under the Graeme Hick Pavilion.

  7. rain stops play

    Lightning stops play at New Roadpublished at 9.3 overs

    The Blaze 53-4 v Southern Vipers

    Not rain, yet, but lightning. This will be a while. The wind is making it very hard to get the covers on.

    The British weather in June, ladies and gentlemen.

  8. Postpublished at 9 overs

    The Blaze 51-4 v Southern Vipers

    Three runs and a wicket off the over. The holders are in dreamland.

    The wind has whipped up and the heavy skies have moved towards New Road.

    Fans are scuttling for cover.

    It'll be raining soon I'm afraid to say. On the most glorious day of the year.

  9. Postpublished at 16:32 British Summer Time 10 June 2023

    The Blaze 51-4 v Southern Vipers

    Jemma Green
    BBC Local Radio commentator and former Hampshire Women player

    Middle stump out of the ground - it's a nice sight to see if you're the fielding side.

    The fourth wicket down for 51, and The Blaze have got work to do to post a total that will challenge this Vipers side.

  10. wicket

    WICKET Bryce b Smith 10published at 8.4 overs

    The Blaze 51-4 v Southern Vipers

    The Blaze's Kathryn Bryce is bowledImage source, PA Media

    Kathryn Bryce trudges off after playing around the delivery and having her middle stump uprooted by Linsey Smith.

    Sarah Glenn strides out with her side in a pickle.

  11. Postpublished at 8 overs

    The Blaze 48-3 v Southern Vipers

    Marie Kelly joins Kathryn Bryce in the middle but it's a superb over from skipper Georgia Adams who allows just three runs in addition to taking that wicket.

    The Vipers have their tails up. They look full of vim in the field.

    Linsey Smith returns.

  12. wicket

    WICKET Boyce c Faltum b Adams 21published at 7.4 overs

    The Blaze 47-3 v Southern Vipers

    Partnership broken. Georgie Boyce tries to cut Georgia Adams' fourth delivery away but she nicks and Nicole Faltum takes a wonderful chest-high catch to send Boyce packing.

  13. Postpublished at 7 overs

    The Blaze 45-2 v Southern Vipers

    Storm clouds gather around New RoadImage source, PA Media

    Georgie Boyce tucks in to a wayward first delivery from Georgia Elwiss, clobbering the short and wide ball over mid-off to the fence.

    The next ball is timed perfectly past point for another four. She has 20 from 18 deliveries.

    These two put on 66 for the third wicket in their last group game - they'd love to do likewise, and even more, here. 26 and counting.

    Thunder might have lost in the semi-final earliier but there are some hugely ominous clouds gathering over Worcestershire. I'll warn you now.

  14. Postpublished at 16:22 British Summer Time 10 June 2023

    The Blaze 34-2 v Southern Vipers

    Kevan James
    BBC Radio Solent commentator

    You don't feel there's any momentum in the innings at the moment, losing Tammy Beaumont was a big blow.

    Anya Shrubsole has enjoyed those wickets today. She doesn't show a lot of emotion but you can tell when she's into her bowling.

  15. Postpublished at 6 overs

    The Blaze 34-2 v Southern Vipers

    Charlie Dean enters the attack and Kathryn Bryce times one nicely within inches of the rope to scamper through for three.

    She plays and misses the next delivery but then sweeps off her pads to the fine leg rope for a precious boundary.

    Nine off the final over of the powerplay. Better from the Blaze.

  16. Postpublished at 5 overs

    The Blaze 25-2 v Southern Vipers

    Kathryn Bryce and Georgie Boyce simply cannot get Anya Shrubsole out of the circle. Another over with just a single from it.

    Make no mistake, the Vipers have clearly carried over a lot of momentum from the semi-final win.

    The Blaze look a shadow of the side which beat the Vipers only 12 days ago. But it's early days...

  17. Postpublished at 16:14 British Summer Time 10 June 2023

    The Blaze 24-2 v Southern Vipers

    Rita Green
    BBC Local Radio commentator and former Berkshire player

    Linsey Smith has been very tight in her bowling today. Just seven runs from two overs given away.

  18. Postpublished at 4 overs

    The Blaze 24-2 v Southern Vipers

    I know it's boas that are the constrictors but the Vipers are having a good go at it here too.

    A suffocating over from Linsey Smith with just a single off it.

    Anya Shrubsole back from the other end.

  19. Postpublished at 3 overs

    The Blaze 23-2 v Southern Vipers

    Beautifully-timed cut down to the third boundary finished the over from Kathryn Bryce - a far more composed effort than her first shot. A helpful boundary but this is a good start from the Vipers.

    Linsey Smith returns for over number four.

  20. wicket

    WICKET Bryce c Faltum b Shrubsole 13published at 2.3 overs

    The Blaze 19-2 v Southern Vipers

    Sarah Bryce shapes to pull into the leg side but slaps one back over Anya Shrubsole's head for four, her third, but the bowler gets her revenge from the next delivery as she gets a leading edge into the sky which is gathered by the keeper after an age.

    Kathryn Bryce replaces her sister Sarah Bryce and wastes no time in swiping at her first delivery.