The Blaze’s overseas all-rounder Nadine de Klerk has maintained her team’s focus is on their final group stage game against Western Storm, despite the obvious excitement surrounding Charlotte Edwards Cup Finals Day on Saturday.

She is in a squad of 13 to travel to Sophia Gardens, which is without Kirstie Gordon, Tammy Beaumont, Nat Sciver-Brunt and Sarah Glenn due to England’s two-day training match ahead of the Women’s Ashes.

“It’s really important that we still want to win against Storm and take that momentum into Saturday,” de Klerk said.

“It’s a great opportunity to tighten up on a few areas that we’ve maybe been struggling with throughout the season.

“We have to keep the same mindset that we’ve had throughout the cup. If we do it well again in Cardiff, it’ll just ensure we’re taking a heap of confidence into the final and that’s what we want at the end of the day.”

The streak of nine wins from nine playable games has ensured The Blaze are the only side in English domestic cricket still without defeat in 2023.

That record is, according to de Klerk, a product of contributions across the board from exceptional talents.  

She knows her experience could prove pivotal as the pressure increases, too.

“From a bowling perspective we have a really good group of bowlers,” she said.

“A lot of experience but also a lot of young players who really know their games. It has impressed me a hell of a lot, the way they know exactly what they want to do out on the field.

“We’ve had really good conversations in meetings and on the field. It won’t always go to plan, but I think we’ve done it well and always encouraged each other to keep pushing.

“I know that from being a youngster in international cricket myself that more experienced players have helped me out, so hopefully I can do the same with a few of the young girls, especially with the big finals day coming up.”

The right-armer has played a significant part in maintaining that streak, too, having claimed career-best figures of 7 for 33 against Northern Diamonds in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy and sitting atop the wicket taking charts in the 20 over competition.

She has also contributed with the bat, twice guiding her side to victory at the crease.

“Coming in as an international there’s often a little bit of extra pressure on you but the team didn’t make me feel any of that which was really great,” she stated.

“They allowed me to be me, find my feet and settle in well which is really important, and it’s always wonderful to contribute.

“I guess as any cricketer when you are part of a team you want to do your bit to win games, so it is really great to be a part of the side and get through to the finals.”