COVERED 2025 Spring

27 @TRENTBRIDGE GRACE BALLINGER T20 champions in 2024, this summer sees The Blaze compete in Tier One of the new domestic structure – and benefit from a fully professional squad for the first time. Here, fast bowler Grace Ballinger – who has been a key member of the side since their move to Trent Bridge – discusses her experiences during a period of change for women’s cricket, and her preparations for the season that lies ahead. W ith two seasons as The Blaze to look back on with fondness – spear- headed by our Charlotte Edwards Trophy triumph in 2024 – the summer of 2025 is quickly approaching. A third season as The Blaze, yet the first inTier One after the restructure of professional women’s cricket, follows a long block of winter training. Summer 2025 will be a historic one for women’s cricket at Trent Bridge: the first played with an entirely professional domestic squad. Personally, I enter my fifth year as part of the professional team; my third season as a fully paid professional. I was 18 years old when I first joined the professional environment and made my debut in August 2020, 20 when I signed my first fully professional deal for The Blaze, and 22 when I agreed to a three- year extension which will see me as part of The Blaze until at least the end of the 2027 season, when I will be 25. Just a few years ago, a three-year professional contract was something a domestic female cricketer would barely have imagined. However, following the rise in both the standard and the funding of women’s cricket in England, this is now a reality for myself and a handful of other players at The Blaze. From a personal perspective, the security of a three-year deal is hugely significant. Not only does it signal strong support for me as a player from the club, but it also allowed me to commit wholeheartedly toTrent Bridge and a permanent move to Nottingham. “JUST A FEW YEARS AGO, A THREE- YEAR PROFESSIONAL CONTRACT WAS SOMETHING A DOMESTIC FEMALE CRICKETER WOULD BARELY HAVE IMAGINED.” Grace Ballinger