2023 The Blaze (women's cricket) season

The 2023 season saw The Blaze compete in the 50 over Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy and the Twenty20 Charlotte Edwards Cup. The season was the first since their rebrand as The Blaze, having previously been known as Lightning, with the team also primarily based at Trent Bridge, having previously been based at Loughborough University. The side were runners-up in both competitions. In the Charlotte Edwards Cup, the side finished top of the group stage, winning all seven of their matches, but lost to Southern Vipers in the final. In the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, the side finished second in the group stage before beating South East Stars in the play-off, but again lost in the final to Southern Vipers.

The side was captained by Kirstie Gordon and coached by Chris Guest. They played two home matches apiece at Trent Bridge, Grace Road, John Fretwell Sporting Complex and Haslegrave Ground, as well as one apiece at the County Ground, Derby and Queen's Park.

Departures
On 18 April 2023, it was confirmed that Bethan Ellis had left the side, joining Central Sparks. Ahead of the 2023 season, it was confirmed that Katie Midwood, Ilenia Sims, Alicia Presland and Rhiannon Knowling-Davies were no longer in the side's full squad.

Arrivals
On 22 November 2022, it was confirmed that Cassidy McCarthy had joined the side on a retainer contract. On 20 February 2023, The Blaze announced the signing of England players Nat Sciver-Brunt and Sarah Glenn from Northern Diamonds and Central Sparks, respectively. On 23 March 2023, it was announced that the side had signed Nadine de Klerk as an overseas player. In September 2023, Lizelle Lee signed as an overseas player for the side's remaining Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy matches, replacing Nadine de Klerk. In September 2023, Rhiannon Knowling-Davies returned to the full squad, first being named in a matchday squad on 9 September 2023.

Personnel and contract changes
On 16 September 2022, it was announced that Lightning would be moving their regional base from Loughborough University to Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club, and that the name and branding of the team would change. On 11 November 2022, it was announced that the team would now be known as The Blaze. On 22 November 2022, The Blaze announced the players who had signed professional contracts for the upcoming season, with Georgie Boyce and Sophie Munro signing their first such contracts with the side. On 1 February 2023, The Blaze announced a further three players who had been awarded professional contracts with the side, with Grace Ballinger, Teresa Graves and Josie Groves all signing their first such contracts. In April 2023, it was announced that Kirstie Gordon would be the side's new captain, replacing Kathryn Bryce.

Squad list

 * Age given is at the start of The Blaze's first match of the season (22 April 2023).

Season standings
advanced to the final advanced to the play-off

Batting

 * Source: ESPN Cricinfo Qualification: 200 runs.

Bowling

 * Source: ESPN Cricinfo Qualification: 10 wickets.

Season standings
advanced to final advanced to the semi-final

Batting

 * Source: ESPN Cricinfo Qualification: 100 runs.

Bowling

 * Source: ESPN Cricinfo Qualification: 5 wickets.