Nat Wraith was delighted to contribute as Warwickshire Bears Women sealed a dramatic one-run victory over Lancashire Thunder to make it two wins in succession in the Vitality Blast.
Having picked up their first win of the 2026 Blast on Friday, doing so by 42 runs at Edgbaston against Surrey, the Bears hung on in a thriller at Stanley Park in Blackpool on Sunday.
Batting first, the Bears had Wraith to thank for reaching 160 for nine from their 20 overs after the 24-year-old struck a career-best T20 score of 83 which came off 48 balls and included ten fours and two sixes.
In reply, Lancashire looked to be in control at 147 for five with two overs remaining, but some fine death bowling by Mary Taylor, who removed both Tilly Kesteven and Kate Cross in the final over, made sure the Bears sealed victory by the smallest of margins.
“It was a great feeling to win but very scary at the time and I was quite nervous going into that last over,” Wraith said.
“Lancashire looked like they were cruising and then we broke that partnership and I felt like we were back in it.
“We were happy with the total, but I thought that maybe we were about ten runs short. We were aiming for 170 at one point and then we lost a few wickets.”
Wraith says her positive intent was key to scoring quickly and helping the Bears reach a competitive total, and is now hoping the team can make it three from three when they return to T20 action against Essex on Wednesday.
“I felt good out there batting and it was nice to hit a few boundaries and get going quickly – I just went in and tried to be positive and it came off,” she added.
“We beat Surrey in our last game and now this so hopefully we can go on a bit of a run of form now and carry the momentum on.”
Bears Women take on Essex at Edgbaston on Wednesday 1 July as part of a doubleheader at The People’s Home of Cricket. The women get under way at 3:00pm, with Bears Men taking on Sussex Sharks at 7:00pm. Click here to get your tickets.