Australian all-rounder Heather Graham took four for 10 on her debut for The Blaze as they swept aside Western Storm in the Charlotte Edwards Cup.

The Blaze won by seven wickets at the Uptonsteel County Ground in Leicester on Thursday, June 7.

Graham stepped in for South Africa’s Nadine De Klerk, who was on international duty.

Alongside her, off-spinner Lucy Higham (two for 18) and left-arm strike bowler Grace Ballinger (one for 17) contributed to a dominant bowling display.

Western Storm were dismissed for 99, with England's skipper Heather Knight scoring the most runs (20) in her first appearance of the season's competition.

Led by Kirstie Gordon, The Blaze chased their 100-run target with 35 balls to spare.

Main contributions came from Scottish players Kathryn Bryce (46) and her sister Sarah (37 not out).

The win was secured when Graham hit the winning boundary.

The Blaze have won all six games in the expanded 2024 edition of the competition.

They continue to top the points table, ahead of the South East Stars, moving them closer to a return to the finals at Derby on June 22.

Their only loss in the previous season's competition was against Southern Vipers in the final.

Western Storm, led by skipper Sophie Luff, lost two wickets for 29 in the powerplay overs.

Ballinger claimed the wickter of Nat Wraith in a wicket-maiden whilst Heather Graham, already capped four times by her country in T20 internationals, struck during the third ball of her Blaze debut, as Fran Wilson fell victim to excellent stumping.

England captain Heather Knight initially maintained a positive start, scoring back-to-back boundaries off Gordon's left-arm spin.

However, the Blaze skipper responded by bowling her with a commendable delivery that came straight off the pitch.

Following this, leg-spinner Josie Groves took out Amanda-Jade Wellington for stepping across the stumps and Luff was caught at mid-off after two tight deliveries by Higham.

Nat Wraith fell to Alex Griffiths and Issy Wong was run out at the bowler's end after being sent back by Sophia Smale - all within the space of six deliveries by Graham.

Despite a strong start with England's Tammy Beaumont dismissing the last ball of the opening chase, Western Storm failed to maintain momentum.

The Blaze was at 13 for two after 13 balls delivering a third-wicket stand of 67 in the 12th over.

No further inroads were made until Lauren Filer bowled Kathryn Bryce.

However, by then, the result was already confirmed.

The final blow was dealt by Graham, with a straight drive over the head of leg-spinner Wellington, finishing the job just into the 15th over.

The Blaze match-winner Heather Graham said: “I couldn’t have had a better first match, to be honest".

Storm head coach Trevor Griffin added: “We’re bitterly disappointed, it wasn’t good enough today, especially with the bat.

“There are a lot of things that we are doing well but a lot of areas in which we are just not delivering as we should do.”