South African all-rounder Nadine de Klerk has signed for The Blaze ahead of the 2023 season. 

The 23-year-old will join the squad ahead of their opening Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy clash against Central Sparks at Trent Bridge, for which tickets are on sale now. 

The right-armer - capped 61 times across formats by her country - starred for the Proteas in their recent ICC Women’s T20 World Cup semi-final victory over England, claiming 1-17 from her four overs, including the wicket of soon-to-be teammate at The Blaze, Nat Sciver-Brunt.

Pretoria-born de Klerk represents Coronations and Western Province domestically, and finished top wicket-taker in the most recent Women’s T20 Super League. She also has franchise experience in the Women’s Big Bash League with Brisbane Heat.

“Nadine is a really exciting player who has a lot of ability with both bat and ball,” The Blaze’s Head Coach Chris Guest said.  

“Despite being young, she has a lot of experience and has played in big games. For her to bring that knowledge and knowhow is really beneficial for us as a group.

“She has played international cricket in England so has developed an understanding of how her game works, too, which will give her the best chance of hitting the ground running when she arrives.

“The calibre of the signing hopefully shows our ambition. We are evolving as a side and to have her join this project will add momentum to our growth.”

de Klerk made her First Class debut for Northerns when she was 13, claiming her first One Day International appearance four years later against India in Potchefstroom.

She made her IT20 debut against the same side nine months later, scoring a near run-a-ball 23. 

The accolades have since flowed, with selection for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in Australia and a national contract in 2020 preceding appearances at the Commonwealth Games and a Test bow in 2022. 

“The opportunity to join The Blaze is really exciting for me, the summer can’t come soon enough,” de Klerk said. 

“It is special to be part of something new with The Blaze now based at Trent Bridge and starting fresh under that identity.

“And in general the landscape of women’s cricket in England is really bright. it is great time to be playing the game and I’m looking forward to bringing my experience over to the squad, and learning a lot at the same time.”

In 2023, de Klerk was part of the South African squad which overcame strong favourites England to secure passage to the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup final on home soil. 

She becomes the fourth senior international on The Blaze’s roster for the upcoming season, following the signings of Nat Sciver-Brunt and Sarah Glenn, with Tammy Beaumont remaining in the East Midlands for a fourth successive campaign.

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Savour a full day of ebb, flow and a fight to the finish as The Blaze make their maiden appearance at our historic home. Tickets available here...