Ahead of a trip to Banks Homes Riverside to face Durham, The Blaze Head Coach Craig Cumming has cast a positive eye over the state of the women’s game.

“I think what’s so evident now is that we’re playing on really good pitches, with really fast outfields, and I think everyone’s approach to the game is really positive,” he said.

“Teams are definitely trying to score runs, and it’s becoming a real entertainment package, which ultimately, is part of what our job is, and what we want to do.

“That’s one of the great things now about playing on the number one venues, that it gives you confidence to play, especially in the batting department.

“You take confidence in that if you time the ball well, you will get runs for it, and we’re getting more power in the game too, so there’s more sixes as well.”

Cumming has named a 14-strong squad for the trip to the North East, with England pair Nat Sciver-Brunt and Amy Jones out alongside Josie Groves.

The trio of Ella Claridge, Prisha Thanawala, and Amy Wheeler come in to replace them, and Cumming believes his side will face a strong challenge in Chester-le-Street.

“They’re a very good team. I think every team is realistically a threat, everyone is playing well, and it’s a very good competition this year,” he said.

“We just have to prepare ourselves as best as we can, and make sure that we turn up with bat, ball, and in the field, so that we’re in the best possible position when we go out there to play.

“We feel like we probably haven’t nailed all three together yet this year, so that’s obviously a goal, but we know that if we put them together, we can have a good consistent performance.”