Tammy Beaumont has called for The Blaze to play their natural game and reap the rewards ahead of the clash against Northern Diamonds in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy (Saturday 6 May, 10.30am).
The England opener is included in a squad of 13 for the trip to Durham, with The Blaze seeking to maintain their unbeaten start to the season.
Beaumont has scored 124 runs across The Blaze’s opening two games, with a crucial hand in a low-scoring thriller against Sunrisers in Chelmsford in their most recent completed fixture.
That included a 72-run partnership with Sarah Glenn to hoist the visitors towards a target of 160, having been 22/4.
Sophie Munro and Nadine de Klerk each finished unbeaten to secure victory for the Blaze.
“Women’s cricket has shifted a lot; I don’t think teams can afford to have players who bat 50 overs no matter how many runs they get,” Beaumont said.
“I have faith in the whole order. You saw Sophie Munro at nine the other day play beautifully. I don’t feel a pressure to bat the whole innings, I can play my way, be positive and hopefully that rubs off.
“I think you have to put bowlers under pressure. The players we have here are better when they look to attack.
“They move better, they commit to their shots and it comes off. Particularly Glenny, there aren’t many that hit it harder than her in the country and she is a bit unorthodox because of that hockey background.
“She hits areas I have seen no one hit with that much force. For me it is about encouraging her and all the batting line up to embrace that, stick to her guns and commit to shots.”
Beaumont did admit, however, that she feels a responsibility to get her side off to a positive start and make match winning contributions at the top of the order.
That ambition was realised in fine fettle with 60 in the opening game of the season as Central Sparks were beaten by 59 runs at Trent Bridge.
She is also hoping she can pass on her experience through calm, considered communication at the crease.
“I think you have to expect yourself to score runs in regional cricket, and you want to do your best for the team,” she said.
“For me there is a lot riding on scoring runs and you are desperate to get the team off to a good start as an opening batter. We have struggled for results in the last few years and I have probably never felt like I have not played that match-winning knock.
“The first game we were 70/1, then 70/4, so it is about how you communicate with other people, how you can explain what threats you are seeing, and what the ball is doing and what shots to avoid.
“You don’t want to send messages that are: ‘don’t do this, don’t do that’ or ‘it is really difficult out here’.
“It is about getting the best out of people whilst making sure they are aware of limiting factors. That comes from experience and hopefully I can be a sounding board for others.”
The 32-year-old is acutely aware of the threat posed both by this weekend’s opposition and teams throughout the competition.
The Blaze are the only side yet to lose, with Diamonds having won two of their opening three games. Beaumont believes the rise in competition is having a positive impact on the game.
“Tomorrow we are playing the reigning champions, but there are not going to be any easy games this season,” she said.
“Already this year some of the teams who have historically been down the bottom, have beaten some very good teams.
“It is something we haven’t potentially had before – the games are a little more interesting. I think it’s healthy.
“Our game at Trent Bridge was one of the biggest crowds I have played in front of in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, and I certainly feel like there is a greater following.”
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