Wong stars as Bears reach Vitality Blast Women's Final

Bears Women (163-8) beat The Blaze (143ao) by 20 runs.

Bears Women overcame defending short-format champions The Blaze, in the Vitality Blast Women’s Eliminator at the Kia Oval to secure their place in the final later this afternoon.

Player of the match, Bears' Issy Wong, top scored with 59 and bowled an impressive 4-19.

Opting to bat first, the Bears lost early wickets—Davina Perrin for 1 and Meg Austin for 14—leaving them on the back foot. Issy Wong’s explosive knock nearly didn’t happen; she was initially given out LBW on just her second ball, but the decision was overturned on review.

Quick to capitalise, Wong launched a fierce counterattack, hitting 59 off 38 balls in a 64-run partnership with Sterre Kalis (45).

The momentum shifted in the 13th over when Sarah Glenn (3–29) removed Wong, followed by Laura Harris for a golden duck in consecutive balls. Kalis anchored the innings briefly but was also dismissed by Glenn in the 17th.

Em Arlott (29) provided a valuable lower-order contribution as the Bears posted a competitive 163–8 from their 20 overs.

Wong (4-14) struck early with the ball too, dismissing both Tammy Beaumont (0) and Kathryn Bryce (0) in her first over, creating the second hat-trick opportunity of the match.

Marie Kelly (35) fought back with a creative innings, scoring freely around the ground. Supported by Georgia Elwiss, the pair added 55 before Arlott removed Kelly. Elwiss top-scored with 53 from 45 balls, but with wickets tumbling around her, the chase faltered.

Late cameos from Glenn (19) and Blaze captain, Kirstie Gordon (15) weren’t enough to rescue the innings. The Blaze were bowled out in the final over for 143, falling 20 runs short.

The final kicks off at 16:30 this afternoon at the Kia Oval.

Post match press conferences can be found HERE.