Lancashire’s Gaby Lewis delivered a stunning performance, scoring an impressive 141 not out, as her team clinched the inaugural Metro Bank Women’s One Day Cup title. The final, held at the Utilita Bowl in Southampton on March 31, 2024, saw Lancashire defeat Hampshire by six wickets, marking Hampshire’s third final loss in just nine days.
Hampshire set a challenging target of 289 runs, finishing their innings at 288-6. Key contributions came from Georgia Adams, who scored 77 runs, and Maia Bouchier, who added 66. Despite a promising start, Hampshire struggled in the final overs, losing a flurry of wickets after Adams was dismissed in the 46th over. Grace Potts stood out for Lancashire’s bowling attack, claiming three wickets for 47 runs.
In response, Lancashire chased down the target with relative ease, finishing at 289-4 in 48.3 overs. Lewis’s remarkable innings came off 143 balls, showcasing her skill and composure under pressure. She received solid support from Seren Smale, who scored 72 runs off 85 balls. Together, they formed a formidable partnership, adding 144 runs that significantly shifted the momentum in Lancashire’s favor.
The victory not only secured the Women’s One Day Cup for Lancashire but also marked their second title of the season, following their success in the Vitality T20 Women’s County Cup. Just a day prior, Hampshire’s men’s team faced disappointment in the One Day Cup final against Worcestershire, having also lost to Somerset in the Men’s Vitality Blast final the previous weekend.
Hampshire had previously dominated the Women’s One Day Cup group stage, finishing at the top with nine wins and only one defeat. They had defeated Lancashire by eight wickets earlier in the tournament while their final group match against Lancashire was washed out due to rain.
In the final, Hampshire’s early run out of Alicia Clarke gave them a glimmer of hope, but Lewis and Smale’s partnership proved decisive. Lewis also built solid partnerships with Ellie Threlkeld, who contributed 32 runs, and Ailsa Lister, who remained unbeaten on 17.
This championship victory underscores Lancashire’s growing strength in women’s cricket, while Hampshire will look to regroup after a challenging series of finals. With the season progressing, the focus now shifts to upcoming tournaments, where both teams will aim to reclaim their winning forms.
