The Blaze are in the midst of their final preparations for a history-making 2026 campaign as this week’s Media Day precedes a final intra-squad friendly.

Craig Cumming’s side, who reached the knockout stages of all three competitions last summer, will play a record-breaking 12 of their 14 home matches across the Metro Bank One Day Cup and Vitality Blast at Trent Bridge in 2026.

Six matches in each competition, which makes up every single one of the squad’s scheduled home group-stage matches in the Blast, will be staged in NG2.

Excitement is almost at fever pitch for the season to begin, and Media Day on Thursday 9 April marked just six days until Cumming’s charges get their One Day Cup campaign underway.

Pre-season preparations have included a friendly away to Essex last week, which The Blaze emerged victorious from by 52 runs, before this week is rounded out with an intra-squad game.

Sarah Bryce struck a century in Chelmsford, and her sister Kathryn hit 60, while Josie Groves returned 4/35 and there were two wickets apiece for Grace Ballinger and Georgia Elwiss.

Friday’s intra-squad clash then sees two sides named Flames and Embers, to be captained by Kirstie Gordon and Marie Kelly, respectively, go head-to-head.

That will be the final opportunity for players to impress Cumming and his staff before the first squad of the season is selected for the One Day Cup opener on Wednesday 15 April.

Defending champions Lancashire will provide the first opposition, before The Blaze travel to Headingley to face tier one newcomers Yorkshire three days later.