Former New Zealand international Craig Cumming was appointed as Head Coach of The Blaze in December 2024.

He had previously enjoyed a successful four years in charge of Otago Sparks in his homeland, winning the 50-over Hallyburton Johnstone Shield in 2022 and 2024, as well as reaching the final of the T20 Super Smash in 2022.

As a player, Cumming was an opening batter who made 24 appearances for his country in Test and ODI cricket, and in March 2005, he faced what is considered to be the fastest ball ever witnessed in New Zealand, when Australian speedster Brett Lee bowled him a delivery at over 99mph.

He played domestically for his home state of Canterbury between 1993 and 2000, but it was his 12 years with Otago that followed where he truly made his name, and to this day, he remains the state’s all-time leading run-scorer in First-Class cricket, with 6,589.

During his first season coaching in England, The Blaze reached Finals Day of both the Vitality Blast and the Vitality County Cup, as well as qualifying for the last four of the Metro Bank One Day Cup.