Lara Shaw has signed a short-term senior contract with The Blaze, and will be available for selection throughout the side’s Vitality Women’s T20 County Cup campaign.

Shaw, a member of The Blaze Academy, has made two appearances so far this summer as part of a loan spell with the tier-two Derbyshire Women. She top-scored for the Falcons in both fixtures, scoring 74 against Gloucestershire and 65 against Kent.

She averages 44.20 in her five List A appearances to date, and has a high score of 106 for Derbyshire in the T20 format.

“Lara’s game has progressed really nicely during the last few years as part of our academy,” said Director of Cricket James Cutt.

“She was a really important part of our batting line-up at that level last summer, and we’ve been pleased to see her carry that form into her appearances with Derbyshire.

“The County Cup provides a great opportunity for players like Lara to continue their development – whether through playing or learning from being around our first-team squad – and we’re looking forward to welcoming her into our senior group this weekend.”

Shaw will be available for selection for The Blaze’s County Cup third-round tie against Oxfordshire at the Notts Sports Ground, which commences at 2.30pm on Saturday 17 May.

Should they progress to the quarter-finals, the last-eight tie will take place away from home on Saturday 24 May, with the final four sides going through to Finals Day at the Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton, on Monday 26 May.