Batter Michaela Kirk and wicket-keeper batter Scarlett Hughes have each signed one-year contracts with The Blaze.<\/p>\n
Hughes joined The Blaze earlier this year and has recently made a positive return to action following injury.<\/p>\n
A score of 45 in a friendly against Thunder preceded a near-run-a-ball 38 against Central Sparks.<\/p>\n
\u201cInjury has made it a frustrating season, but I can now look forward to working hard throughout the winter and go into the next season ready to perform,\u201d Hughes said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI made good progress over the winter and loved The Blaze environment, and I now have another year to continue this work.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been really exciting to see the team do well again this season, and I\u2019m keen to be fit and available to help us win games over the next 12 months\u201d<\/p>\n
Kirk has been with the East Midlands region since moving to England from South Africa in 2021 – the same year in which she was included in Trent Rockets\u2019 squad.<\/p>\n
She has played 23 times in all formats for The Blaze, and formerly Lightning, with a top score of 57 against Sunrisers.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe last three-and-a-half years have gone really quickly, and I\u2019ve really enjoyed being part of the journey we\u2019ve been on as a side,\u201d Kirk said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a team we progressed when we became The Blaze and there were opportunities for me personally to develop, which ultimately is what I came here to do.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat so many of us want to stay is a sign of how together we are as a group, and what everyone believes we can achieve in the next few years.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnother year here will help me to continue being the best I can be, and I\u2019m grateful for the support I have had, and will continue to have, with The Blaze.\u201d<\/p>\n
12 players have now committed to the side ahead of the domestic restructure coming into force in time for the 2025 season.<\/p>\n
They will begin that transition as reigning champions in the T20 format, having reached the final of the last three domestic competitions across both formats.<\/p>\n
\u201cMichaela and Scarlett are both players that have, at various points, shown that they have got a lot of potential in the game,\u201d Head Coach, Chris Guest, said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat we\u2019ve seen of Scarlett has impressed us. She\u2019s got a point of difference in our squad as a left handed batter, and she provides good competition to Sarah Bryce and Ella Claridge behind the stumps.<\/p>\n
\u201cMeanwhile Kirky has worked hard over a few seasons – she\u2019s seen rewards with multiple scores particularly in second team cricket, and she has got the ability to make positive contributions over a consistent period with us.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re both great to have around the group, keen to develop as players, and are important in what we are building here at The Blaze.\u201d<\/p>\n