WOMEN'S T20 BLAST ROUNDUP: Lancashire were facing a third defeat in a row, but Norris scored an unbeaten 33 and then claimed three wickets in the chase
Edgbaston: Lancashire Thunder 162-7, Bears Women 157-9 - Lancashire win by five runs
Lancashire Thunder opened the T20 Blast table right up with a five-run victory over Bears at Edgbaston.
Ellie Threlkeld's side shrugged off a slow start with the bat to reach 162 for 7, much of it compiled in heavy drizzle.
That was a strong recovery from 31 for 4, led by Ailsa Lister 39 (26) and Tara Norris (33 not out) against an accurate Bears attack in which all six members took wickets.
Related: Dominant Surrey issue statement as team to beat in women's Blast
Charis Pavely's 27 was in vain for Bears Women (Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
The home side replied with 157 for 9. Davina Perrin provided a fiery start with 34 and Nat Wraith late power with 58 not out, but Lancashire closed the game out as Norris completed her excellent all-round day with 3 for 24.
Put in, Lancashire soon lost Emma Lamb, off-stump flattened by Issy Wong, and then lurched from 29 for 1 to 31 for 4 in nine balls.
Seren Smale was beautifully stumped behind her legs by Wraith, Fi Morris sliced her second ball, from Charis Pavely, to backward point, and Threlkeld top-edged her third to short third to supply Hannah Hardwick's first Blast wicket.
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