Marie Kelly stressed a team-before-self approach as The Blaze enter the home straight of the 2024 season with must-win games in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy. 

The versatile batter is in a squad with only one change from a hard-fought victory against Southern Vipers, with Tammy Beaumont replacing the injured Georgie Boyce. 

Kelly, an ever-present in The Blaze’s side this year, was the top scorer with 40 as The Blaze overcame Southern Vipers by 20 runs at Arundel. 

Those runs came batting at number four, and whilst she has opened for The Blaze, she is content with contributing positively wherever required.

“I genuinely don’t mind where I bat,” she admitted. 

“I’ve had a slightly up-and-down season -  I didn’t start very well, but it is about scoring runs at the right time when your team needs it, so hopefully I can finish the season positively. 

“Moving down to four, the ball isn’t swinging quite as much, and the field might be spread a bit more, so it gives you that bit of time.

“Particularly in 50 over cricket, the challenge is just managing my intent to go up and down the gears throughout my innings and not give my wicket away once I’m in.

“My philosophy is to keep it as simple as possible - see ball, hit ball - and in the longer format cricket you can take a little bit more time. But if the ball is there to be hit, I can still be just as aggressive as I would be in T20 cricket.”

A run of form would be timely, with The Blaze currently fifth in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy table, and a top four finish required to progress to the semi-final. 

A shared assumption of responsibility combined with a cohesion in the squad itself gives Kelly optimism that The Blaze can play their part in a late surge, with 12 players having now announced contract extensions to remain in the East Midlands next year. 

“We have been in so many different situations this season and everyone has made a big score or taken wickets at crucial times,” Kelly said. 

“That is the sign of a good team when you’re not relying on the same people each time. As long as one or two people put their hand up, then that is what it’s all about.

“It shows that it is a happy camp if people want to stay. Winning is attractive - people want to be where there is success, and it is great to have the same team sticking together. 

“We all buy into what and who we are as The Blaze, and that stands us in good stead on the pitch beyond this year.”

A return to Derby to face Sunrisers also gives the side confidence, says Kelly, with their last visit resulting in T20 triumph. 

“The last time we were at the County Ground I had champagne in my eyes, so we have happy memories there!” she laughed. 

“The pitch was outstanding, too, so hopefully we can look to repeat that performance. There will probably be a few nerves from both sides knowing it is a game we need to win, and they will want to maintain their position in second. 

“Every game is a must win game at this stage, particularly with them being above us in the table, but hopefully we can take it one game at a time and get another win on the board.”