Red Rose women aiming for Blaze of glory in quarter-final
David Thorley has a photo up in his office at home celebrating Lancashire’s Vitality County T20 Cup title triumph last May.
This weekend, the Red Rose director of women’s cricket is hoping to find space on his wall for another one to go alongside.
“I may have to remove some photos of the kids,” joked Thorley.
“From a personal point of view it was probably the highlight of my career so far. From a players’ perspective, and the other staff as well, it was so exciting. It was a real culmination of everything we've been doing the last five or six years.
On Sunday, Lancashire face The Blaze (2.30pm) in the quarter-final at the Lady Bay ground in Nottingham, a venue a stone’s throw away from Trent Bridge.
The prize, a Finals Day appearance at Emirates Old Trafford next Saturday.
“Last year was a real goosebumps moment for us, but it can’t just be a one off,” added Thorley. “We need to be in Finals Days, in quarter-finals, semi-finals, finals – whatever it might be – regularly.”
Lancashire beat Buckinghamshire at Neston in the third round to set up a repeat of last year’s semi-final. The Blaze, meanwhile, beat Durham.
Since then, The Blaze have gone on to win the Vitality Blast T20 title and are eyeing the domestic treble.
They are also top of the group standings in the 50-over Metro Bank One-Day Cup, which resumed earlier this week.