The 18-year-old Otago Sparks batsman had barely had an opportunity to show her mettle all summer, coming in down the order as she did.
But the right-hander could not have picked a better time to shine, even if she was shaking like a leaf.
The Sparks were chasing Auckland's total of 245 and looked well placed to record a comfortable victory at 202 for five.
White Ferns captain Suzie Bates was in the 90s at the other end and had a firm grip on the game.
But when Bates was bowled for 99 shortly after, the match was back in the balance.
Actually, given the Sparks' inexperienced middle order, Auckland may well have backed itself to win.
''I was really nervous,'' Blakely said.
''I was shaking while I was out there. The nerves went away after a wee bit once we started ticking it over and got the scoreboard going.
''I don't know what my mind was thinking in the end.''
The game had a dramatic finish prepared. Blakely (23 not out) combined with Polly Inglis in a valuable stand of 30 for the seventh wicket.
Inglis' departure for 13 sent waves of nerves through the Otago camp. But Blakely and Sarah Osborne fought off the anxiety to scamper through for a bye from the penultimate ball of the match to seal the victory and the Sparks' first title in 51 years.
It was a wonderful achievement from a team that would have started the campaign as at best the dark horse and at worst a long shot.
''I was just so shocked that we had actually done it. It was very exciting.''
That win put a target on the Sparks' back, of course.
The expectations have risen sharply and the team cannot creep into the tournament unnoticed as it may have done in the past.
''I think there is a bit more pressure but we are still just looking forward to it. Whatever happens will happen, I guess.''
The Sparks open their campaign with a twenty20 match against Auckland at Melville Park tomorrow and will then play back-to-back one-dayers.
It is a repeat of the final and should offer a good gauge of what to expect this summer.
Blakely is part of a group of players, including Inglis and Millie Cowan, with the potential to make more impact on the competition.
She got her start in the sport as a youngster in the back yard playing with her father, Geoff, and brother, Sam.
Both Geoff and Sam have represented Otago at cricket.
The Blakelys are a very sporty family but to have a father-son-daughter combination play cricket for Otago is probably a first.
Growing up on a farm just outside Ranfurly also helped foster Blakely's cricket skills.
''We were at a rural school and it is what we all did when we were growing up. It is what we would do in the weekends - go and watch my dad and brother play.''
She has also played tennis and football and still plays hockey, but cricket is where she sees her future.
Her father has been a big influence on her career and pushed the importance of playing straight.
''Dad was always very correct and taught me,'' she said.
''I do like to bat up the order and that [technique] helps. But sometimes I wished I could get out of that mind-set when needed. But it is good to start from that.''
She is at her best playing ''in the V'' but is working on her scoring options so she can be more effective in the twenty20 format.
Sparks coach Warren Lees has singled Blakely out as one to watch and she is keen to contribute more consistently.
The Sparks are targeting a place in the top three in both competitions but their best prospects still appear to be in the one-day competition.
Otago Sparks
The draw
One-day
November 29, 30: v Auckland, Auckland
December 13, 14: v Canterbury, Rangiora
December 28, 29: v Central Districts, Lincoln
January 3, 4: v Northern Districts, Alexandra
January 17, 18: v Wellington, TBA
Twenty20
November 28: v Auckland, Auckland
December 12: v Canterbury, Rangiora
December 27: v Central Districts, Lincoln
January 2: v Northern Districts, Alexandra
January 16: v Wellington, TBA
SQUAD
Suzie Bates (captain), Victoria Abbott, Caitlin Blakely, Emma Campbell, Georgia Clarke, Millie Cowan, Megan Gibbs, Polly Inglis, Bella James, Leigh Kasperek, Katey Martin, Morna Nielsen.
