The Blaze, boasting a youthful line-up due to international commitments and injuries, were defeated by Central Sparks in their Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy season-opener at Edgbaston.
Having restricted Sparks to 213/9, Kirstie Gordon’s side were ultimately dismissed for 135, despite Nadine de Klerk’s 43, scored a matter of hours after arriving in the country.
After choosing to bat, a number of Sparks batters made a start but failed to build on it, as Grace Ballinger (3/47) and Sophie Munro (2/28) proved the pick of a disciplined attack.
Sparks’ innings had started slowly in the face of a fine new-ball burst from de Klerk who conceded just four runs in her first four overs. When Jones tried to shed the shackles, she was bowled trying to flick Ballinger to leg.
Chloe Brewer (22, 29 balls) greeted the left arm spin of Kirstie Gordon with a crisp reverse sweep for four but paid a high price for trying to repeat the shot to a ball which was too far up, falling lbw. Munro maintained the pressure for Blaze with an opening spell of 7-1-18-1 which included the removal of Davina Perrin, bowled off-stump.
Former Warwickshire all-rounder Marie Kelly drifted a beauty past Ami Campbell to have her stumped but Freeborn advanced to a composed 82-ball half-century before missing a swipe at Munro and perishing, stumped by Ella Claridge. Katie George provided some late impetus with a 30-ball 32 with five fours before she was yorked by De Klerk.
Sparks started superbly with the ball as Arlott and Issy Wong both conceded just two from their first two overs. Arlott opened with 5-3-4-2 after removing Teresa Graves, caught at mid on, and Kelly, bowled behind her legs. Wong beat Munro for pace to win an lbw decision and when Claridge was bowled by Bethan Ellis, Blaze were 39 for four in the 18th over.
De Klerk and Daisy Mullan, making her debut on a five-match loan from Thunder, halted the slide and added 51 in 77 balls before Hannah Baker removed both, then adding a third wicket when Michaela Kirk was caught at deep-midwicket.
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The Blaze at Trent Bridge
The Blaze will appear at Trent Bridge on no fewer than four occasions this May - including a 50-over fixture as part of the Notts Street Food Festival, and a T20 double-header alongside Notts Outlaws.