Josie Groves has praised The Blaze’s resilience having begun the Charlotte Edwards Cup with two wins from two games, despite finding themselves in challenging positions in both. 

The leg-spinner, who struck a crucial unbeaten 17-ball 24 as her side beat Northern Diamonds by four runs last time out, is named in a squad of 13 to face Thunder at Loughborough (26 May, 2.30pm). 

The victory against the Headingley-based outfit followed a win against defending T20 champions Southern Vipers, in which The Blaze defended 112, winning by three runs. 

“Defending low totals is a strength of ours,” Groves said. 

“We’ve had a couple of scores that have been under par. At Trent Bridge, the pitch was a bit slow and low and made it difficult to get the ball away, but our bowling attack is exceptional.

“We know that even if the opposition gets ahead in the game we always keep believing in ourselves and we’ve been able to create pressure. With the bowlers we have we know we’re always in the game.”

The attack to which she refers is without Sarah Glenn or Nat Sciver-Brunt - both on duty with England - but boasts a world-cup bound Kathryn Bryce, who also top-scored with a better than run-a-ball 31 at Trent Bridge, and an in-form Kirstie Godon.

The Blaze’s captain claimed figures of 2-13 off four overs against Vipers, and 3-20 from four overs against Diamonds. 

That form saw her recognised with selection in an England Development XI to face Pakistan earlier this week. 

“Kathryn Bryce played very well to give us a bit of a platform at the top of the order,” Groves said.

“I just looked to take that on a bit more. I feel like I want to contribute a bit more with the bat this year so that was pleasing.

“Kirstie Gordon leads brilliantly from the front with the ball and her captaincy. The way she handles the bowlers and talks us through it is fundamental to the success of our attack.”

Groves also paid credit to The Blaze’s attention to detail, with her side battling the elements to field under lights on Wednesday night ahead of their third game at Trent Bridge in as many weeks. 

It is those small margins which she believes is contributing to her side’s success.

“We’ve worked hard on our fielding because we know how crucial it is in T20,” she said. 

“Despite the wet weather on Wednesday, we were able to get out at nine o’clock last night to practice under the lights and that really helped us.”

Attention now turns to the hosting of Thunder at Haslegrave. 

The visitors narrowly overcame The Blaze by one wicket in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy earlier this month, but have begun the Charlotte Edwards cup with mixed fortunes having lost to South East Stars this week after beating Diamonds in their opener.

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Tickets for The Blaze's final Trent Bridge fixture of 2024 - a double-header alongside Notts Outlaws - can be secured here...