‘Removal of pre-season safety blanket never fails to humble’Published1 hour agoImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Georgia Elwiss (left) and Kathryn Bryce (right) were the Blaze’s top run-scorers in 2025Grace Ballinger, The Blaze’s left-arm seamer, writes for BBC Sport before the start of the women’s domestic season on SaturdayApril marks an exciting time for English cricket. Following a long, dark winter, spring brings with it a new dawn of the domestic cricket season. The men’s County Championship was welcomed, albeit in brisk conditions, on Easter weekend, while the women’s One-Day Cup follows closely with the first round of fixtures this weekend. The transition from pre-season to competitive league fixtures takes no prisoners – even for the most experienced in the game. Whether it’s your first professional season or your 20th, the removal of the pre-season safety blanket never fails to humble you. Pre-season for most involves friendly fixtures against fellow counties, and while still a full fixture, they often don’t quite feel entirely real. Snick off early in a pre-season fixture and you can put your wrongs to right in a net alongside the pitch. Do it this weekend, and it’s a long few hours back on the balcony, reflecting on why you chased a wide one in the second over. Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Glamorgan’s Kiran Carlson and Asa Tribe had to wrap up warmThe women’s One-Day Cup welcomes a new side into Tier 1 this summer, Yorkshire, who were previously competing in the level below. They will play in the professional league for the first time.
This takes Tier 1 from an eight-team competition to a nine-team one, leading to sides missing a round of fixtures while everyone else plays against each other.
For the Blaze, this has fallen on the first round of fixtures. While every other team will start their season on Saturday, we will wait a few days longer, opening our account on the 15 April at home against Lancashire.
At first I was unsure how to feel about this. Naturally we are eager to kick-start our campaign and get into the season.
However, since seeing the weekend forecast of a gusty and cold Saturday in West Bridgford, waiting a few extra days doesn’t feel too much of a chore.
I love playing at Trent Bridge and calling it home. Previously, we have played our fixtures all around the East Midlands, however this season marks a huge increase in our fixtures at the historical ground.
Six out of eight home One-Day Cup games are at Trent Bridge, with two at our fond alternative ground Chesterfield, whilst all six T20 Blast home games are based there.
All are double headers alongside Nottinghamshire Outlaws.
There are a few wrongs to put to right for us this season. Last year, by our own standards, was in many ways a disappointing one.
Despite reaching all three semi-finals in the One-Day Cup, Vitality Blast and County Cup, we didn’t manage to progress any further.
This is certainly something we will look to rectify this summer, with strong desire to bring silverware back to Trent Bridge.
