2026
Thursday 5 February
KIRSTIE’S KEEN ON TRENT BRIDGE
Blaze Skipper Talks to NCLS
The delight and enthusiasm that The Blaze skipper Kirstie Gordon shows in her adopted cricket ‘home’ of Trent Bridge may at first seem slightly at odds with her decision to revert to playing for Scotland, rather than England.
But, as she explained to the February meeting of Nottingham Cricket Lovers Society (NCLS), “it felt like the right time to make the switch back”.
Kirstie was born in Aberdeen and – despite having football as her first love as a child – learned her cricket there. “As much as I loved football”, she said, “I was never going to compete with the boys when it came to playing; but when I got into cricket, I found that playing with and against the boys was an advantage”.
She was playing for the local Huntly club, a rare but significant outlier for cricket in Scotland at that time, and felt that having to compete with boys made her ‘toughen up’.
“I soon learned that I couldn’t bowl fast enough to compete and converted into a spinner”, she recalled.
Her progress was such that at thirteen she was playing age group cricket and when she went for a trial for the Scotland under-17s, was immediately invited to join the full Scotland squad. So she made her international debut at just fourteen!
She had also represented the North of Scotland at football and tennis but cricket became her route to a life in professional sport.
From 2012-2017, she played for Scotland and remembered the struggles of those early days. “We had members of the squad driving the mini-bus”, she told NCLS, “and at weekends there might be an eight-hour drive to a game and back (they were playing mainly English county teams).
“It was all exciting for a young girl like me but it was tough on the older ones who might have work on Monday after travelling, playing and travelling again at the weekend”.
That experience was influential in her decision to move South to pursue a degree and to take advantage of the sporting facilities at Loughborough University. “I could have gone somewhere else for my degree”, Kirstie recalled, “but the standard of the facilities, the support and the opportunities at Loughborough were what decided me on the move”.
Once at Loughborough, she was selected for the Lightning, the first professional women’s cricket team in the East Midlands and, somewhat reluctantly, made the decision to qualify for England.
“It wasn’t an easy decision and I quite understand that a lot of my former team-mates in Scotland found it hard to take”, she added.
“But at that time, there was no professional pathway in Scotland and I felt that to progress and to succeed, I needed to make the switch”.
It certainly paid off and in 2018, Kirstie Gordon was in the England squad for the ICC Women’s World Twenty20 tournament – to her surprise. “I had been training with the squad but thought of myself as a useful net bowler and didn’t expect to be picked.
So much so that on the day the squad was announced, she didn’t even have her phone turned on. “When I did switch it on and got the call…well, I can’t tell you what I said!”, she joked.
In July 2019, she was selected for the one-off Women’s Ashes Test against Australia and in November that year travelled with England for a tour of Pakistan. She was also playing for Nottinghamshire Women at that time.
In 2021 she signed a professional contract with Loughborough Lightning, having been the leading wicket taker in that season’s Rachel Heyhoe Flint Trophy. In April 2023, the left arm spinner was announced as captain of The Blaze, the new name for The Lightning.
At the start of the 2025 season, it was announced that The Blaze was to become part of Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club and that Trent Bridge would be their home base.
“It’s absolutely a positive [for the women’s game], and it’s a credit to everyone at Trent Bridge for making that happen,” she said.
“I absolutely love playing at Trent Bridge, and I’m fortunate to lead the girls out, so I’m looking forward to that.
“At first glance, the fixtures look great, and I’m really pleased with the amount of backing that we’ve got from Trent Bridge.
“The girls are super pleased about it, and every time we’ve played at Trent Bridge, we’ve loved it. We were a bit unlucky last year with rain, but we’re hoping the sun shines this time round!”
Kirstie will combine her leadership of The Blaze with her cricket for Scotland, having decided in December last year to re-commit to her homeland.
“I’ve been out of action with a stress fracture”, she said, “but for the first time in a couple of years, I feel fully fit and raring to go – whether here at Trent Bridge for The Blaze or in international cricket with Scotland”.
She has also added another skill to her talents, working as a summariser for cricket commentaries and will be part of the Test Match Special team covering the Men’s T20 World Cup in 2026.
REFLECTIONS ON THE TITLE
In the second part of the meeting, director of cricket Mick Newell and opening bat Ben Slater looked back at the County Championship win of 2025.
They were both honest enough to admit that winning the title had not been in their minds at the start of the season; they were aiming for a top four finish!
Mick and Ben each said that even when Notts were top of the league, being Champions still seemed a long way off – it was the win against Worcestershire that really got them thinking that it could be done.
Ben top scored in the run chase that brought the three-wicket win, “That’s probably the best 36 I’ve ever scored!”, he joked.
Going into the penultimate game still one point behind Surrey, Notts needed the win and it was Ben Slater that took the catch to clinch the match and put Nottinghamshire into a title winning position.
Remarkably, it was the only catch that he took all summer. “I knew nothing had come my way all season”, he recalled. “So I put in extra fielding practice, just in case – and it paid off!”
Mick Newell paid tribute to the captaincy of Haseeb Hameed and to the influence that the two overseas fast bowlers, Fergus O’Neill and Mohammad Abbas, had both on the pitch and in the dressing room.
With the glow of a title win, were they looking forward to defending the title? Ben Slater reckoned it will be tougher because sides will want to topple the champions and, realistically, he and Mick Newell agreed that a ‘top four finish’ is the minimum target for 2026.
Thursday, 8 January (2pm)
Roger Marshall, scorer at Trent Bridge entertained the meeting with memories and anecdotes and will be invited back for more reminiscences.
Main speaker was England and Middlesex star Angus Fraser who was robust in his support for the red ball game and the importance of recreational cricket.
2025
Thursday, 4 December
Craig Cumming, former New Zealand international and head coach of The Blaze spoke about his career and his hopes for the 2026 season.
Paul Harrison, known as ‘Boony’, dressing room attendant at Trent Bridge talked about the job, the characters and the changes he has seen.
Thursday 13 November
ROGUES OR SUPERSTARS?
Barnes and Close at NCLS
Two players separated by seventy years but sharing a reputation as a maverick in the game were the subject of talks at the November meeting of the Nottingham Cricket Lovers Society (NCLS), held at Trent Bridge.
Billy Barnes – who made his Nottinghamshire debut 150 years ago – was brought to life by his great-grandson Andy, who told tales of his ancestor who was, he suggested, both ‘a superstar and a rogue’.
The same could be said about Brian Close, one-time skipper of Yorkshire, England and Somerset and a player whose robust approach to the game of cricket – indeed to life in general –
is best summed up in the title of Stephen Chalke’s latest book ‘One Hell of a Life’.
https://www.trentbridge.co.uk/trentbridge/history/articles/rogues-or-superstars.html
Thursday 16 October
An emotional evening with James Taylor, sharing the story of his heart condition and his career both before and after his suydden diagnosis.
Because James’s story was so compelling, and took longer to tell, he was the only speaker, apart from introductions and welcome from NCLS chair David Beaumont.
You can read the full article on James Taylor’s talk on the Trent Bridge website: https://www.trentbridge.co.uk/trentbridge/history/articles/the-heart-and-soul-of-james-taylor.html
Thursday 27 February
Harry Gurney shared his life story and his successes with Notts, England and Leicestershire and his thoughts on the skills needed for bowling ‘at the death’ in white-ball cricket. https://www.trentbridge.co.uk/trentbridge/history/articles/in-at-the-death.html
Richard Preskey, Notts CCC Disability Cricket Officer gave an inspirational talk on his work and the life-changing help offered to young people and adults.
Thursday 6 February
Two captains reflected on the role of leader in modern cricket and although they have had very different career paths to the top of their game, they were agreed that being captain is both rewarding and challenging.
Steven Mullaney and Kathryn Bryce were speaking to the latest meeting of the Nottingham Cricket Lovers Society (NCLS) – and they had each come with a symbol of their recent successes.
Kathryn had the Charlotte Edwards Cup that was won in 2024 by the Trent Bridge-based The Blaze and in which she was the leading run scorer.
In addition to the excellent talks, NCLS chairman David Beaumont presented a cheque to Steven Mullaney for his Benefit Fund.
https://www.trentbridge.co.uk/trentbridge/history/articles/a-tale-of-two-skippers.html
Thursday 9 January
Annie Chave – editor, write and podcaster
https://www.trentbridge.co.uk/trentbridge/history/articles/county-cricket-it-matters.html
Vic Marks, Somerset and England all-rounder, journalist, TMS summariser
https://www.trentbridge.co.uk/trentbridge/history/articles/summarising-a-world-of-summers.html
2024
Thursday 5 December
“Glimpses of Trent Bridge. The 1964 season.” Heritage Film.
Lyndon James, Notts CCC and England Lions all-rounder
https://www.trentbridge.co.uk/trentbridge/history/articles/player-for-the-ages.html
Thursday 7 November
“What’s My Line? Adventures of an International Cricket Tour Guide”. Ed Nicholson (Heritage Volunteer)
Tim Crow (biographer of Clive Rice)
https://www.trentbridge.co.uk/trentbridge/history/articles/rice-served-up-to-cricket-lovers.html
Thursday 17 October
Steve LeMottee, Heritage Manager, on the 1929 Championship Winning Side
John Morris, former England, Derbyshire, Durham and Notts batter on his life and career:
https://www.trentbridge.co.uk/trentbridge/history/articles/morris-no-minor-player.html
Thursday 21 March
Annual General Meeting.
John Holder (Hampshire CCC and International Umpire).
https://www.trentbridge.co.uk/trentbridge/history/articles/john-holders-special-delivery-at-ncls.html
Wednesday 6 March
A O Jones: an all-round hero. Peter Smith, Heritage Volunteer, Notts CCC.
Eleanor Oldroyd (Sports Broadcaster and Commentator, BBC Radio 5 Live).
https://www.trentbridge.co.uk/trentbridge/history/articles/a-life-on-the-radio-waves.html
February 2024
Nottinghamshire’s new club captain Haseeb Hameed spoke to the February meeting of the Nottingham Cricket Lovers Society (NCLS) in his first public appearance since accepting the role.
‘Has’ spoke of his ambitions for himself and for the team, “I want to win titles and trophies”, he told a packed audience, “…and I really believe we have the players – and the support team – to challenge in every format”.
Haseeb is the second club captain in succession to come to Trent Bridge from Lancashire, following Steven Mullaney’s decision to step down and to take charge of the county’s Second Eleven.
Though not the first Muslim to captain a county side, Haseeb is, Notts CCC believe, the first to be appointed as club captain and he was quick to pay tribute to the way the club and his team-mates support him in following his faith. “They have been brilliant”, he said.
Hameed has been playing representative cricket for almost two decades.
“I was nearly always playing for age groups above my own age”, he said, “from eight or nine I was in Under-11 sides and that’s how it was right up to joining the county first team at Old Trafford”.
He broke into the Lancashire first team aged just 18 and his first full season was such a success – he made almost 1200 runs at just under fifty – that he was selected for the England tour of India (2016/17) when he was 19.
That too went well and he came home with a test average of 43 and a top score of 82. An unfortunate run of injuries – he admitted that he now always wears tapes to protect his fingers – and a dip in form cost him his place with England and with Lancs.
When the red rose county released Haseeb in 2019, Notts were ready with an offer. “I spoke to a few counties”, he recalled, “but talking to Pete (Moores, Notts head coach) and others here I was convinced Trent Bridge was right for me”.
After enduring that strange Covid-hit season of 2020, Hameed justified that belief by again passing 1000 runs in all formats in his first full season and then by helping Notts secure promotion as Division Two champions in 2022. His personal contribution to that campaign was 1235 First-Class runs at 58.80, including four centuries.
The first season back in the top division was a bit of a struggle but with that experience behind him – and a couple of seasons skippering the 50-over side – Haseeb Hameed hopes and believes that he is well-placed to make history for Nottinghamshire in the future.
Hameed’s praise for the coaching and support team at Trent Bridge was echoed by the other speakers at the meeting, Chris Guest, head coach of The Blaze and all-rounder Marie Kelly.
They agreed that the move to Trent Bridge – and thus the availability of the training facilities, specialist staff and the sheer ‘buzz’ of being at such an iconic venue – played a part in the team’s improved performances in 2023.
The introduction of a cadre of professional players was also key to that improvement and Marie Kelly in particular spoke of the drive to more progress. “We are fortunate to have some of the best professionals in the women’s game in our squad and they will be a great example to the girls coming through the age groups and pathways”, she said.
“Training and playing at Trent Bridge has been great and we are looking forward to some more home matches in the coming season”.
Chris Guest acknowledged that the pressure of staging County Championship matches as well as international fixtures and the short format competitions means that opportunities for The Blaze to play at their home ground will always be limited.
“We have to train away from here when the facilities are needed for other teams and games”, he commented, “and we play around the East Midlands, not just in Nottingham, but we really value our days at Trent Bridge”.
With the heightened profile of women’s cricket after the hugely-successful Ashes Test and the experience of the ‘double-header’ match days in The Hundred, Chris and Marie are optimistic that 2024 – and beyond – will see bigger audiences for The Blaze matches and they looked forward to welcoming some of the NCLS members to games in the new season.
January 2024
Neil Kendrick, local historian and sports enthusiast spoke on the ‘Cricketers in the Churchyard, Alfred Shaw and Arthur Shrewsbury.’
https://www.trentbridge.co.uk/trentbridge/history/articles/rubgys-lions-first-tour-led-by-cricketers.html
Ashley Metcalfe, who spent his final two seasons of First-Clas cricket with Notts following a career with Yorkshire spoke about his life in the game and his work since (involving admin in weightlifting and canoeing)
December 2023
Heritage volunteer Chris O’Brien – Amateurs and professionals in 19th century Nottinghamshire cricket.
Former Notts bowler, Bill Taylor. Bill played for the County from 1971-77 appearing in over 200 matches and taking 381 wickets in first-class and limited overs matches. He subsequently served on the Nottinghamshire committee and had a two year term as Club President in 2018 and 2019.
https://www.trentbridge.co.uk/trentbridge/history/articles/was-it-billzball.html
Bill talked about his experiences in the game and will shared some memories of his former team-mate and friend, Bob White.
November 2023
Streaming Nottinghamshire cricket. Kirsty and Aaron Lord, Stoneheart Media.
Luke Fletcher (Nottinghamshire CCC). https://www.trentbridge.co.uk/trentbridge/history/articles/countys-loss-is-countys-gain.html
October 2023
Celebrating Eileen White: a cricketing pioneer who gave the Aussies a Trent Bridge scare. John Hess, Heritage Volunteer, Notts CCC: https://www.trentbridge.co.uk/news/2021/june/the-contributions-of-an-east-midlands-cricket-pioneer.html
Dusty Hare. (Nottinghamshire CCC; Newark RFC, Nottingham RFC, Leicester Tigers RFC and England).
https://www.trentbridge.co.uk/trentbridge/history/players/dusty-hare.htmlhttps://www.trentbridge.co.uk/trentbridge/history/articles/dusting-off-the-memories.html
March 2023
Dennis Amiss, Warwickshire and England: https://www.trentbridge.co.uk/trentbridge/history/articles/a-hit-and-amiss.html
January 2023
Basharat ‘Basher’ Hassan, past-President, player and administrator, Nottinghamshire CCC: https://www.trentbridge.co.uk/trentbridge/history/articles/from-nairobi-to-nottingham.html
December 2022
Andy Pick and Kevin Saxelby, Nottinghamshire CCC with Memories of 1987 Championship win: https://www.trentbridge.co.uk/trentbridge/history/articles/double-act-at-ncls.html
