Kirstie Gordon is keen to build on an enviable record as captain of The Blaze as the East Midlands outfit begin their domestic season against Central Sparks at Edgbaston.
The skipper is included in a squad of 13 for the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy opener - the first fixture since The Blaze finished runners-up in the same competition last year.
The Blaze won 14 of 18 playable group stage games across both the 50 and 20-over formats in 2023, a resurgence in form spearheaded by Gordon’s leadership and form with the ball.
It has not only been a role she has excelled in, but one she’s embraced.
“I have always felt that I have got that leadership quality inside me and I enjoy being able to bring that to the fore and do things how I perceive to be best for the group,” she said.
“I have always enjoyed the tactics of the game, so being able to try things and put in a few quirky fields in place, I felt in my element there.
“One of my concerns at the start of last year was how well I was able to manage both captaincy and bowling at the same time, but actually, I feel like it has helped.
“It allows me to take the ball when I think I can make a difference, and be the one to stand up. I enjoy those moments.
“It isn’t just the on the pitch stuff either - it is the whole planning and preparation, getting round the group.”
The Blaze will field a much-changed side compared to the one which graced the Trent Bridge turf for the equivalent opening fixture in 2023, with international commitments and injuries impacting availability this time around.
For Gordon, however, that serves as an opportunity for others to step up.
“There are a few ways you can look at our situation, but for me it is quite exciting,” she said.
“People have the chance to put their hand up. Some players can stake a claim for spots and make it a tough decision when other girls come back
“And it isn’t just on all the players coming in, either. I think there are opportunities for the girls who may have been mainstays in the side to embrace the seniority.”
Gordon is also all too aware of the potential positive impact a winning start can have, with The Blaze the final team, male or female, to be beaten in English domestic cricket last year.
But she is also strong in her belief that a successful season will be measured by performance over an extended period, not merely the start to the year.
“You want to get off to a winning start, it boosts the morale in the group and it got the ball rolling for us last year," she said.
“We’ve also beaten Sparks every time we have played them in the 50-over competition, so there is a desire to keep that streak going, especially with it being on their own patch.
“Regardless of the result, the first few games don’t define our group or our season. What will define us is how we track over the next four or five months and the way we shape up towards the business end.
“The next few games are a good measure of where we are - we’ll learn from it regardless of the result and ultimately we’ll have a better awareness of where we are as a group come the end of it.”
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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.