Marie Kelly says The Blaze are determined to shake off their Vitality Blast Finals Day disappointment as they seek a statement win over second-placed Hampshire in a mouthwatering Metro Bank One Day Cup clash at Utilita Bowl.
Kelly forms part of a 13-strong squad heading to the South Coast to take on the Rose and Crown, who are just two points behind the league-leading Blaze with five games to go.
“We want to finish this round of games in a really strong position,” affirmed Kelly, who hit a new career-best List A score of 66 from 61 balls in last week’s home win over Warwickshire.
“When we come back together near the end of the season, we [want to] pick up where we left off and hopefully head into [the finals] with good momentum.
“We’re very confident at the minute, with lots of wins under our belt, and lots of different people in the team are putting their hand up and performing.
“We just want to finish well before we break away for The Hundred!”
Kelly also made 35 at the Kia Oval despite a narrow 20-run loss to Bears in the Eliminator, to total over 100 runs over her last two outings and is confident in her own game.
“I'd say I’m in some good form at the minute, which is pleasing given the lack of cricket at the start of the year.
“[I’m] just really enjoying spending some time in the middle, and hoping to increase those List A scores and contribute to the team even more.
“That always builds a bit of confidence, but we'll take each game as it comes, and just look to keep our standards as high as they have been throughout the competition.
“We know Hampshire are a good side, but we are really confident in our skills as well and our plans, [so] it will just be about who executes them better on the day'
Kelly was also full of praise for her similarly in-form team-mates Georgia Elwiss and Kathryn Bryce as The Blaze seek a third win on the bounce in Southampton.
“Both [of them] always contribute with bat and ball, which is great to have amongst the group,” she said.
“I think that helps others have a bit of confidence as well, helps us flow as a team, and to work around and with each other.”
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