COVERED 2025 Spring
COVERED 28 TRENTBRIDGE.CO.UK I was raised in Sutton Coldfield and grew up aWarwickshire pathway player before moving to the East Midlands to attend Loughborough University. This winter marks the first in which I have graduated from Loughborough, and the long-term deal gave me both the confidence and the financial stability to make the permanent move to aWest Bridgford home. That start to the cricketing summer, when I will take my place at the end of my run-up at the Stuart Broad End, is long anticipated, but it follows a five-month winter block of technical, tactical, and physical training at base. Sharing the gym, halls and canteen space with Nottinghamshire men, this has been the first winter for The Blaze as an entirely professional unit. Previously, for players not on a full- time wage, there was a difficult balance to be struck between training and work. Now, however, everyone can fully com- mit to their cricketing career, breeding a complete sense of equality throughout the group. Our winter work precedes our busiest season to date following another increase in fixtures from 2024 – with up to 36 matches in store. In preparation, countless balls have been hit and bowled, countless kilo- metres ran down the River Trent. A typical week looks slightly different for every player, depending on their skillset and strengths, but each player undertakes a blend of individual and group training, with four days of group contact time weekly. Whilst schedules and workloads differ slightly week by week, depending on facilities, time of year, and player fitness, the average week for me (as a seamer) would likely consist of three gym sessions, two distance running sessions, two speed sessions, three bowling sessions, three batting sessions, and two group fielding sessions. The physical aspect runs alongside tactical work and frequent meetings. Skill-based sessions are often on a one- to-one basis with a coach, although as the winter progresses as does the competitive element, bat goes against ball more frequently. Whilst the physical toll is pretty high, there is often time for a stroll down West Bridgford high street for a much- needed coffee break and catch up, and one day of the week devoted to individual recovery, such as swimming or pilates. “THIS SUMMER WILL SEE THE COMPLETE PROFESSIONALISATION OF EIGHT FEMALE TEAMS IN ENGLAND, ALL EMBEDDED INTO A COUNTY SETUP.” Grace Ballinger
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