Josie Groves returned figures of 5/19 as The Blaze comfortably progressed to the quarter-finals of the Vitality T20 Women’s County Cup with a ten-wicket win over Oxfordshire at Notts Sports Club.
After Groves had ripped through the visitors’ batting order as The Blaze dismissed them for 97, captain Marie Kelly (48* off 37) and Georgie Boyce (42* from 31) then completed the chase unbeaten in 11 overs.
Charley Phillips helped wrap up the Oxfordshire tail with 3/18, while Grace Ballinger and Georgia Elwiss each took one wicket apiece.
Katie Waugh top-scored for the visitors with 20 from 14 deliveries before she was caught by Boyce to become Groves’ fifth victim.
Ella Claridge also claimed two stumpings, both off Groves, as the visitors were bowled out with an over of their innings to spare.
Facing down the target, Boyce and Kelly moved to 47 without loss from the powerplay, before 21 runs came off the tenth over to put the duo within ten of victory.
Kelly confirmed the inevitable with one ball remaining of the 11th over when she hit her eighth four, sealing safe passage for The Blaze into the competition’s last eight.
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