Holders Southern Vipers defeated Thunder by 18 runs to get to the Charlotte Edwards Cup final, led by England batter Danni Wyatt’s 76.

In the Finals Day eliminator at Worcester’s New Road, Wyatt had a scorching opening stand of 108 with Maia Bouchier (56) in a formidable total of 191-6.

Liv Bell’s 4-37 spell slowed the pace slightly.

Despite a strong start to the reply, Vipers held on to go to the final against The Blaze.

Relive the Vipers’ elimination win over the Thunder.
Thunder were ahead of the rate after five overs, owing largely to Fi Morris’ 25-ball 36. The pressure of maintaining the tempo for an extended period proved too much for the Vipers, who were led to victory by Anya Shrubsole (2-30) and Linsey Smith (2-31).

Vipers only qualified for Finals Day by winning three consecutive games towards the end of the competition.

However, the confidence gained from that run was clear in the early pyrotechnics from Wyatt and Bouchier on a hot day, and importantly allowed them to swing freely in the closing overs.

Bouchier dominated the race to 50, scoring two fours in three balls from just 29 deliveries before succumbing when she skied a ball from 17-year-old left-arm seamer Mahika Gaur right into Ellie Threlkeld’s hands.

Bell then stole the spotlight, dismissing both skipper Georgia Adams and Wyatt, although with a brutal full toss that caught Wyatt on the mid-wicket boundary.

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Despite the fact that the Vipers continued to score rapidly, Bell’s four wickets meant that their total was frightening but not insurmountable.

Thunder’s powerful response raised the prospect of a spectacular triumph. The big-hitting Deandra Dottin’s cameo of 24 from 14 balls kept the innings going, as did Sophie Ecclestone (33) and Threlkeld (31) alongside Morris, but Vipers were able to close out the win.