Issy Wong Shines with Bat and Ball as Birmingham Bears Storm into Women’s T20 Blast Final

Issy Wong Shines with Bat and Ball as Birmingham Bears Storm into Women’s T20 Blast Final

Issy Wong delivered a stunning all-round performance to lead Birmingham Bears to a 20-run win over The Blaze in the Women’s T20 Blast Final’s Day Eliminator at the Kia Oval, securing a place in the final.

Promoted to No. 3, Wong smashed a scintillating 59 off 38 balls, including two sixes and a flurry of classy strokes, before returning with the ball to dismantle The Blaze’s top order, finishing with figures of 4 for 14. Her explosive contribution helped Birmingham post 163 for 8, before they bowled out The Blaze for 143.

Wong’s innings began in dramatic fashion after the early dismissal of Davina Perrin. She cracked her first ball for four, survived a close lbw review, and then launched into an aggressive assault, hammering sixes over long-on and midwicket. She formed a crucial 64-run stand with Sterre Kalis (45), who accelerated after a slow start with back-to-back boundaries off Heather Graham.

The Blaze struck back through legspinner Sarah Glenn, who claimed 3 for 29, including the wickets of Wong and Laura Harris off successive balls. Glenn later bowled Kalis to leave the Bears needing late impetus from Emily Arlott, who struck timely boundaries to keep the run rate healthy.

But the real impact came with the ball. Wong opened the bowling and immediately removed England star Tammy Beaumont and Kathryn Bryce for golden ducks in a fiery over—one a nip-backer that beat bat and pad, the next a steep bouncer that brushed the glove en route to keeper Natasha Wraith.

Despite a spirited counterattack from Georgia Elwiss (53) and Marie Kelly (35), who added 50 in just 29 balls, The Blaze’s chase lost momentum. Arlott broke the partnership by dismissing Kelly, before spinners Millie Taylor (3 for 20) and Hannah Baker tightened the screws.

Taylor, who became the competition's leading wicket-taker with her spell, removed Heather Graham and Ella Claridge, while Wong returned to claim Sarah Bryce at long leg. Elwiss raised hopes with a composed fifty, but her dismissal—stumped after reaching her eighth four—signaled the end of The Blaze's challenge.

With both bat and ball, Wong’s dominance proved decisive, propelling the Bears into the final and leaving The Blaze’s campaign in ashes.

Scorecard:
Birmingham Bears 163/8 (Wong 59, Kalis 45, Glenn 3-29)
The Blaze 143 all out (Elwiss 53, Wong 4-14, Taylor 3-20)
Result: Birmingham Bears won by 20 runs

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