Georgie Boyce, Lucy Higham and Marie Kelly have signed two-year deals with The Blaze.
The trio take the number to have signed on ahead of next season’s domestic restructure to eight.
Originally from Nottingham, Boyce made a temporary switch to the North West having begun her regional career with Loughborough Lightning in the Kia Super League.
She returned on a full-time basis in 2023 and returned over 550 runs across formats for The Blaze before suffering a foot injury in the recent winter which has kept her sidelined this campaign.
“I have loved being back in the East Midlands since I joined The Blaze last year – It’s home for me and I’m really happy that will continue to be the case,” Boyce said.
“I’ve been backed from the day I arrived here, both on the field last year and as I’ve tried to get back on it this season.
“Hopefully I can repay the faith I’ve been shown over the next couple of years, and contribute to more success for the team.”
Leicestershire-born Higham surpassed 50 caps for the region this season, having spent the entirety of her career in the East Midlands.
The off-spinner has taken 61 wickets for Lightning and The Blaze with a further 12 in The Hundred.
“It’s really special to be staying at The Blaze,” Higham said.
“This group has developed together over a long period of time and we’re starting to get the rewards for that, which I hope can carry on.
“We are really close as a squad and that’s playing out in the number of us wanting to stay together next year.”
Another former Loughborough University student who has spent time in her native West Midlands and across the border, Kelly joined Lightning ahead of the 2022 season.
She has since amassed 858 runs across formats, having also struck 176 for Chris Guest’s Northern Superchargers in the 2023 edition of The Hundred, striking at over 120.
“I’ve developed a lot and felt supported across my time in the East Midlands and that has definitely encouraged me to stay,” Kelly said.
“We’re pushed to go and express ourselves, and have fun along the way, which is really important for me personally.
“We know there will be ups and downs individually and collectively, but we have been able to stay together and grow, which bodes well for the years ahead.”
The trio were all part of the successful squad which reached the final of both the Charlotte Edwards Cup and Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy in 2023.
Kelly and Higham both featured in the semi-final and the final of the 2024 Charlotte Edwards Cup as The Blaze lifted their first silverware since their switch of bases from Loughborough to Trent Bridge.
“Between them, Georgie, Lucy and Marie are hugely experienced and offer us a great deal across all areas of the game,” Head Coach Chris Guest said.
“In their own way, all three are leaders in the dressing room and have been instrumental in the success we’ve had over the last 18 months.
“Georgie is a player with a lot of experience in the middle order and the capability to win us games – whilst she’s been limited this season through injury, she’s shown an appetite to be back out on the field and her presence is really valuable.
“Technically, Lucy is a really skilful player with the ball, she is a fantastic fielder and is more than capable with the bat. Her approach is measured and calm, which is an important trait in itself.”
“And on her day, Marie is as destructive as anyone in the domestic game, and she brings a real level-headedness to the group.”
*Main image @TrentBridge Marie Kelly continues where relationship at the Blaze.