Southern Vipers romp to successful Charlotte Edwards Cup defence

Southern Vipers cruised to a seven-wicket victory over The Blaze to allow coach Charlotte Edwards to lift the trophy that bears her name for the second consecutive season.

Set a target of 115 by The Blaze in this weather-affected final at New Road, the Vipers’ opening pair of Danni Wyatt and Maia Bouchier made a stand of 67 in less than seven overs to leave little doubt about the outcome.

Anya Shrubsole was named the player of the match before announcing her retirement, ending a career which began back in 2004.

Wyatt, potentially warming up for the Women’s Ashes, reached 50 off 28 balls, defying the damp outfield to hit 10 boundaries, before being trapped lbw by Nadine de Klerk. But by then the job was almost done with the Vipers needing 27 from nine overs.

Captain Georgia Adams got them over the line with 34 balls to spare with an edge going through the slips to find the boundary.

The Blaze, who started the match unbeaten in the competition, had resumed on 53 for four after heavy rain saw play abandoned for the day on Saturday evening and pushed on to 114 for eight as Marie Kelly finished as their top scorer with an unbeaten 26.

But such was the fluency with which Wyatt and Bouchier found the boundaries, there was little doubt the Vipers would retain the trophy.