Kathryn Bryce won a brace of awards at The Blaze’s End of Season Dinner, with the all-rounder’s remarkable return with bat and ball earning her both the Charlotte Edwards Cup and Overall Player of the Season titles.
Elsewhere, captain Kirstie Gordon picked up the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Player of the Season award while Olivia Baker was named Academy Player of the Year.
Academy Player Player of the Season - Olivia Baker
Having been the side’s third highest wicket-taker in her first season in the Academy, right-arm seamer Olivia Baker returned with added vengeance for 2024.
The Nottinghamshire teenager claimed 29 wickets in all formats, including 18 in T20 cricket at an average of just 12.22 and strike rate of 11.78.
Her best performance saw her record figures of 3-5, while she helped her side win the T20 Regional Academy Festival title at Oakham School.
Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy Player of the Season
Kirstie Gordon claimed 19 wickets and belied her status as a bowler to score 176 runs at a shade under 20 in the 50 over competition.
Her best bowling innings – 4/40 - came in the group stage victory over Western Storm at Trent Bridge in May, while her economy across the competition stood at just 3.91 - lower than any bowler to have taken over 13 wickets, except Kathryn Bryce.
Gordon’s contributions helped The Blaze to within three points of knock-out qualification, despite a challenging start to the campaign.
Overall and Charlotte Edwards Cup Player of the Season - Kathryn Bryce
Kathryn Bryce enjoyed the most fruitful season of her distinguished career as she hit 750 runs and took 25 wickets across all formats for The Blaze.
She struck 478 of those runs - including five fifties - in the Charlotte Edwards Cup, with a composed 44 in the semi-final preceding a match-winning 62 to seal the title. That return saw her named as the tournament’s Player of the Year by the PCA.
The 26-year-old’s form continued into the 50 over format as she claimed 4-41 and hit an unbeaten 87 to clinch an emphatic six-wicket victory over Sunrisers in late August.
Only Ella Claridge and Sarah Bryce scored more runs for The Blaze in that competition, with an average of 45.33 in the longer format.
Her average of 15.13 with the ball in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy attested to her potency, with a scalp every 23 deliveries.