Kathryn Bryce feels the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy suits the strengths of The Blaze’s squad, as the side seek to follow victory at Bristol with further success against Northern Diamonds at Chesterfield (Friday 7 July, 10.30am).
Bryce is part of a 14-strong squad for the encounter at Queen’s Park.
“I’m excited to get back out there and get stuck into the longer game,” she said.
“It’s obviously been a bit different team-wise, but it’s good to get back into the 50 over competition and defend our position at the top of the table.”
“I think in general we’re probably a stronger 50-over team. A lot of our strengths lie with this format, especially Tammy who’s one of the best ODI players around – and for me and Sarah [Bryce], I’d say the one-day format allows us to get into a rhythm.”
The Blaze began their 50-over block with another win against Western Storm last weekend. Acting captain Marie Kelly notched her first half-century of the season, with Teresa Graves and Michaela Kirk also making crucial contributions.
The nailbiting nature of the six-run victory, however, is something which Bryce feels stands the side in good stead.
“Knowing that we can win those tight games – especially on days when as a side we don’t necessarily play our best cricket – just shows we can always find a way to get over the line when it really counts,” she said.
“A lot of people got a good start but ultimately, we need someone to kick on and get those 70-80 runs to take us over that crucial 250 mark.
“And if you’ve got a set batter at the end, other people can go around and really target those last 10 overs to get us up to a big score.
“I want to be out there putting my hand up for the team, making that impact that helps us to win games of cricket, so hopefully I can transfer one of those starts into a big score this week.”
Losing the likes of Beaumont, Nat Sciver-Brunt and Sarah Glenn to England duties hasn’t fazed Bryce, who commended her fellow teammates for their ability to step up and fill the boots of those missing.
“It can always be challenging with a bit of change in the team from week-to-week, but Terry (Teresa Graves) was a great example of how we overcame it last weekend – she really stepped up for her first game of the season, scoring 40 and taking a couple of crucial wickets.
“I think to have people like that filling those roles so successfully shows that the team is strong regardless.”
This Friday will be the first outing for The Blaze at Chesterfield, and Bryce says they’re looking forward to the impending clash.
“We trained at Chesterfield the other day, and it seems like a really nice ground to play at, with a really great pitch and outfield too,” she said.
“With Diamonds you know it’s going to be a tough game. We’ve just got to go out there and keep doing what we’ve been doing.
“If we apply processes that have worked against them before then hopefully that’ll allow us to get another win on the board.”