Charli Knott downs Somerset to seal Blaze's spot at Finals Day

The Blaze defeated Somerset by seven wickets at Trent Bridge to secure a Finals Day spot in the Vitality Blast women's competition, thanks to Australian all-rounder Charli Knott's unbeaten 63 from 43 balls.

The Blaze's hopes were in danger of being dashed by Somerset after three consecutive defeats, but Knott and Sarah Bryce (29) showed no nerves in an 87-run third-wicket partnership. Knott, who hit nine fours, finished the job with the help of Emma Jones, who clinched a bonus-point victory with a pull for six, with 34 balls to spare.

England's vice captain Charlie Dean scored the most runs for Somerset with 41 from 32 balls before being caught on the boundary by Lucy Higham, who took 2 for 6 with her offspin and shared the wickets with all seven The Blaze bowlers.

After being left out of the Test team that is currently playing India at Lord's on account of workload, Dean was making her first appearance in this year's Vitality Blast.

She also took 3 for 24 with her offspin, including two wickets in five balls as she opened the bowling for her side, but Knott and Bryce took the game away from Somerset.

Somerset had chosen to put runs on the board first, perhaps mindful of The Blaze's failure to chase Surrey and Hampshire, but they lost their four biggest hitters with only 47 scored runs.

Bex Odgers was knocked down by Grace Ballinger with a leading edge, and Sophie Luff hit Kirstie Gordon straight to long-on during the powerplay. Niamh Holland then picked out mid-off and dangerous Australian overseas Anika Learoyd was bowled behind her legs by legspinner Josie Groves.

Somerset were 58 for 4 from 10, quickly suffering another setback as Georgia Elwiss took a second fine catch at extra cover to remove Alex Griffiths.

As she and Jess Hazell added 44 for the sixth wicket, Dean's five boundaries gave Somerset reason to be optimistic. However, Jess Hazell and Dean both fell to deep catches off Higham, and Knott added Chloe Skelton to her competition tally of 20 wickets.

The Blaze appeared capable of chasing fewer than six runs per over, but Dean removed leading scorer Marie Kelly (trapped lbw) and the dangerous Kathryn Bryce (bowled) in just five balls. However, Sarah Bryce and Knott increased The Blaze's total to 43 without losing any more on the powerplay.

Their partnership remained unbroken at 66 as the 10-over mark was reached, with just 48 more holes required to reach 71 for 2. Dean's third wicket ended the partnership on 87 as Bryce sliced to backward point for 29 off 33, but with only 27 needed at that point the result was never in doubt.