Grace Ballinger, Teresa Graves and Josie Groves have been awarded senior contracts with The Blaze following increased investment in the domestic game by the England and Wales Cricket Board.
The trio, who have been on winter retainers since the East Midlands regional side’s move to Trent Bridge, supplement the seven existing members of the contracted playing staff.
“Grace, Teresa and Josie have all worked really hard since our move to Trent Bridge, and prior to that at Loughborough, so it’s really pleasing to reward them with this opportunity,” Head Coach, Chris Guest, said.
“They have all impressed the coaching team with their dedication, and each have high ceilings in the game.
“They form an important part of our ambition to be competitive in both formats this year and beyond.”
Left-arm seamer Ballinger graduated through the Warwickshire pathway before switching to Leicestershire ahead of the 2021 season and snaring seven wickets for Lightning across the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy and Charlotte Edwards Cup.
In 2022, she took a further nine wickets, averaging 17.77 in the 50-over format, including her maiden five wicket haul against North West Thunder. She also made two appearances in The Hundred for Lord’s-based outfit London Spirit.
All-rounder Graves has collected 27 regional caps across T20 and 50-over cricket, with a high score of 65 against Central Sparks in 2020 and best figures of 4-39 against Sunrisers in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy in 2021.
She has also played twice for Trent Rockets, having been included in the Nottingham-based side’s squad for the first two years of the competition.
Groves, 18, was initially included in Lightning’s Academy last season, before featuring on eight occasions for the senior side, taking eight wickets and scoring her maiden List A half century against Southern Vipers.
In January 2023, the wrist-spinner claimed three scalps at the inaugural U19 T20 Women’s World Cup in South Africa.
“Grace has a point of difference with her action, her skills with the new ball are impressive and she has added a yard of a pace this winter,” Guest added.
“Teresa, meanwhile, is a consummate professional; she is really consistent with the ball and is a multi-dimensional batter. Both of those elements put pressure on the opposition.
“And Josie has shown everyone what she can do whilst in England colours at the U19 T20 World Cup. She executes one of the hardest skills in cricket with her leg spin, is a capable batter and a strong all-round athlete.”
The addition of three contracted players takes the total number at the Blaze to ten. Four further players from the cohort currently taking part in pre-season training - Ella Claridge, Beth Harmer, Micheala Kirk and Cassidy McCarthy – have agreed summer retainers.
The tally of professional cricketers funded by the ECB has risen to 98; 18 of whom are in possession of central contracts.