Georgie Boyce, Lucy Higham and Marie Kelly have signed two-year deals with The Blaze.<\/p>\n
The trio take the number to have signed on ahead of next season\u2019s domestic restructure to eight.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have loved being back in the East Midlands since I joined The Blaze last year – It\u2019s home for me and I\u2019m really happy that will continue to be the case,\u201d Boyce said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve been backed from the day I arrived here, both on the field last year and as I\u2019ve tried to get back on it this season.<\/p>\n
\u201cHopefully I can repay the faith I\u2019ve been shown over the next couple of years, and contribute to more success for the team.\u201d<\/p>\n
Leicestershire-born Higham surpassed 50 caps for the region this season, having spent the entirety of her career in the East Midlands.<\/p>\n
The off-spinner has taken 61 wickets for Lightning and The Blaze with a further 12 in The Hundred.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s really special to be staying at The Blaze,\u201d Higham said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis group has developed together over a long period of time and we\u2019re starting to get the rewards for that, which I hope can carry on.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are really close as a squad and that\u2019s playing out in the number of us wanting to stay together next year.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
She has since amassed 858 runs across formats, having also struck 176 for Chris Guest\u2019s Northern Superchargers in the 2023 edition of The Hundred, striking at over 120.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve developed a lot and felt supported across my time in the East Midlands and that has definitely encouraged me to stay,\u201d Kelly said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re pushed to go and express ourselves, and have fun along the way, which is really important for me personally.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cBetween them, Georgie, Lucy and Marie are hugely experienced and offer us a great deal across all areas of the game,\u201d Head Coach Chris Guest said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn their own way, all three are leaders in the dressing room and have been instrumental in the success we\u2019ve had over the last 18 months.<\/p>\n
\u201cGeorgie is a player with a lot of experience in the middle order and the capability to win us games – whilst she\u2019s been limited this season through injury, she\u2019s shown an appetite to be back out on the field and her presence is really valuable.<\/p>\n
\u201cTechnically, 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd on her day, Marie is as destructive as anyone in the domestic game, and she brings a real level-headedness to the group.\u201d<\/p>\n