Six players sign new contracts to stay with The Blaze until at least 2027

A group of four – namely Cassidy McCarthy, Charley Phillips, Georgia Elwiss, and Ella Claridge – have signed one-year deals that will keep them at The Blaze until October 2027 at the earliest.

Meanwhile, Prisha Thanawala and Liv Baker have both agreed two-year extensions to take their time at Trent Bridge up to at least October 2028.

Elwiss, 34, is the most experienced of the sextet, having represented England on 54 occasions in all formats, and signed for The Blaze from Southern Vipers prior to the 2025 season.

She made an instant impression in her debut season, going on to top the team’s run-scoring charts in the Vitality Blast as she totalled 965 runs and 17 wickets across both formats.

Seamer Phillips, 22, is another arrival from elsewhere for The Blaze, having signed from Sunrisers in 2024, and has claimed 11 wickets in 11 appearances across both formats thus far.

The same is true of fellow quick bowler McCarthy, 23, who hails from Sussex and enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2025, claiming 24 wickets across formats.

Batter Claridge, also 23, came to greater prominence in the last 12 months too as her 317 runs for The Blaze in 2025 preceded seven appearances for the USA in the T20 World Cup Qualifier.

Meanwhile, all-rounder Thanawala and seam bowler Baker are both recent graduates of The Blaze Academy, and are earmarked as key members of the next generation.

The Blaze Head Coach, Craig Cumming, said: “I’m really excited by being able to keep all of these players at The Blaze.

"Retaining the core of the squad that has tasted success previously, and are passionate and driven to play for the Blaze, is exciting.

“That will be very important as we move towards the goal of bringing more success to Trent Bridge in the years to come.

“All six players are at different stages of their development, but they either have already played really important roles for us, or have the potential to in the future.

“The opportunity to help these high-potential cricketers reach the best level they can, and see them keep contributing to the team moving forward, is a really exciting thought.”

Georgia Elwiss said: “Playing for The Blaze over the past year has been a really enjoyable experience, so I’m thrilled to be staying for another two summers yet.

“It was really pleasing to be able to contribute in the way that I did last summer, and I’ve got a very clear target to repeat that over the next two summers as we go after some trophies.”

Cassidy McCarthy said: “I was really pleased with the season I had last year, and I feel that I’ve made a lot of progress in developing my game while I’ve been part of The Blaze.

“That’s what makes it so exciting to stay here for at least another two summers, because this group has so much potential to achieve some fantastic things.”