The Blaze were defeated by 23 runs by the Hampshire Hawks in the Vitality Blast at the Utilita Bowl.

Charli Knott and Grace Ballinger picked up three wickets each as the Blaze kept their hosts to 151, despite an impressive 49 from their captain, Georgia Adams.

Despite a good start with the bat, Hampshire kept The Blaze to 128 to seal victory.

Other than Adams, Hampshire’s batting never found the go-button, as The Blaze squeezed with an exceptional bowling display.

Knott, who spent two seasons with Southern Vipers and Hampshire, knocked back Ella McCaughan’s middle stump with her first delivery.

The Australian then got Adams caught at deep midwicket for 49.

The Hawks found promising partnerships for the first three wickets, but slow scoring left plenty to do at the death, and that led to six wickets falling in the last six overs.

Josie Groves caught and bowled both Cesca Sweet and Rhi Southby in the 15th over, before Ballinger bowled Abi Norgrove and Naomi Dattani in successive deliveries two balls later.

Ballinger and Knott both completed their three-fors in the final two overs as Blaze kept the hosts to 151.

Marie Kelly and Georgia Elwiss attacked the chase by smashing 44 runs in the first 26 balls of the innings.

However, Kelly was bowled for a fluent 33, bringing the opening stand to an end as she attempted back-to-back scoops for four.

Things slowed up in the middle overs after Kelly's dismissal, which quickly led to more wickets as Kathryn Bryce, Knott and Elwiss all fell in the space of 16 balls around the halfway stage.

Emma Jones ended a 40-ball spell without a boundary, but was caught the following ball and then Sarah Bryce was stumped at the start of the next over.

Kirstie Gordon and Grace Ballinger added 34 for the ninth wicket to reduce the deficit, but The Blaze ultimately fell to a 23-run defeat.

The Blaze now sit fourth with a two-point buffer to Somerset, who they face on Friday in a crucial match.