Kathryn Bryce insists the pressurised nature of The Blaze’s game against Southern Vipers at Loughborough will be good preparation for the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy's final stages, regardless of the outcome at Loughborough.

The hosts are currently leading the Vipers the table by five points, which is the reward for a bonus points win. 

Bryce is adamant, though, that her side’s focus will be on performance, not permutations, despite net run rate deciding who qualifies directly through to the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy final if points are equal. Second and third place will play off in an eliminator. 

“If you look too much into things you can almost get caught up,” Bryce said.

“You don’t go out there and back yourself to play your best cricket, so the focus is just on winning the game and putting in the best performance. Ideally, we don’t want to be looking at net run rate - If we play close to our best cricket we’ll be in a good position.

“But I do think it is good to have this challenge of needing to win to make absolute sure as we go into the final stages of this competition - we’ll have been in the pressure situation and be able to apply our learnings.”

The all-rounder also believes hosting the game at Haslegrave may give The Blaze an edge.

The ground’s reputation as batter’s paradise played out against Sunrisers as the sides scored 460 runs between them. Georgie Boyce and Bryce scored 155 of those between them, with the pair sharing a fourth wicket partnership worth 155.

Bryce - who finished with 51 from 59 deliveries - acknowledged that bowlers need to be patient when playing at Lightning’s old home. 

“It is a tough place to be as a bowler - it is a quick outfield and a road to bat on,” she said. 

“We knew that going into the game against Sunrisers, so even though we didn’t take a wicket early, we still kept them to something we knew was manageable to chase, even if we didn’t get over the line.

“It’s a case of getting your head round the fact it is going to be a high scoring game, keeping your focus and not getting too carried away with the score when you’re bowling.

“Of course, there is a bit of home advantage, knowing how best to score our runs and how to bowl on those pitches. 

“And also that mental advantage - knowing that the team batting first can get close to 300 but there still be a game on. That score is kind of expected. You know when you’re batting that anything can happen.”

The Scotland captain brought form back from international duty prior to the fixture against Sunrisers, having scored 50 off 30 runs against France. 

Against Italy in their previous game, The Blaze’s wicket keeper-batter Sarah Bryce blitzed 67 to see her side gain entrance to the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier.

“It was great to be away with the girls and play some constant cricket,” Kathryn said.

“I could take a lot of confidence coming back, having scored a few runs and spent that time in the middle. 

"Because the games are back to back and the schedule is quite full on, you don’t really have time to think too much - you’re just onto the next one. But I was delighted to score runs and bring that into my Blaze form as well.”