All-rounder Orla Prendergast said a tense three-wicket win over Essex in Chelmsford can be interpreted as a marker of The Blaze’s quality.

“I think the best teams find ways to win games from situations that they wouldn’t necessarily be expected to, and that’s exactly what we did today,” said Prendergast, who hit 69 not out.

“We’re not used to losing games, so I think the last one [against Yorkshire at Headingley] definitely stung, and we came out today with all the fight to want to win,” she said.

“I was buzzing to play a slightly different role with the bat, and it’s definitely very pleasing to contribute to a win in that way.”

The Irishwoman’s unbeaten innings, in addition to 47 not out for captain Kirstie Gordon, helped The Blaze overhaul the hosts’ 213 all out in the 40th over.

Prendergast added 111 for the eighth wicket in an unbroken stand with Gordon, with the stand ultimately proving crucial in propelling the visitors to victory.

“Our immediate target was just to keep building the partnership,” explained Prendergast, when asked about the discussions between the duo in the middle.

“The run rate was never going to be much of an issue. We had enough overs on the board to bring home the win.

“I think it was just about building, keeping things ticking over, and being clear in our actions and our plans. Thankfully we managed to stay there for long enough to win the game!”

Meanwhile, the 23-year-old also claimed figures of 2/26 from seven overs, and she looked back positively on The Blaze’s performance with the ball on multiple levels.

“It was a pretty complete bowling performance that I think kept them well below par on a nice surface with a fast outfield,” she explained.

“There were definitely positive feelings coming off after that first innings that we’d kept them well below par and that we were going to go out and chase it.”

Prendergast’s second wicket, of Sophia Smale for 34, was a seamer’s dream that clean bowled the batter, and she made particular mention of it.

“It’s always nice to get a wicket in that way! It was nice to bowl down the hill, with that momentum behind. It felt good with the ball,” she said.

While naturally delighted by being able to bring the points back to Nottingham, Prendergast was also reflective on the manner of victory.

“There are always learnings!” she said. “We bowled and fielded really well, but we can definitely take things out of that and into Wednesday.

“Then, on the batting side, collapses happen, so it will just be about parking that and coming out with the same intent to play and score positively, as we have done.”

“It was a tough game, where we found ourselves in a pretty tough situation, but to come out with the win is so pleasing and we definitely take a lot of momentum from that.”