Josie Groves is backing The Blaze to bounce back to winning ways when they travel to table-toppers Hampshire tomorrow (3:00pm).

Groves retains her place in a 14-strong squad that will make the trip to the South Coast looking to avenge a recent two defeats, but the all-rounder is confident her side can do just that.

“Hampshire are always strong and you’ve seen that historically, but we’ve had some really good games against them in the past and we know we’re a strong squad,” said Groves.

“We’ve shown that we can do that really well as a team in previous years, as in, when our backs are up against it, we stick together and we can find a way through.”

Groves says The Blaze have prepared well for the clash and will be looking to utilise their extensive homework on the league leaders to come away with a positive result.

“You never really know what you’re going to come up against when you go away. but we’ve prepared for all conditions,” she said.

“I think Utilita Bowl is always a pretty good ground to play at, the outfield’s pretty good, and it’s a good pitch, so it should be a good game.”

The 21-year-old also says that the group of 14 are significantly bolstered by the return of England A seamers Charley Phillips and Grace Ballinger.

The duo represented the A team in a recent three-match 50-over series against India A, and Emma Jones played in an earlier T20 series against the same opponents.

Coupled with the returns of Scottish international trio Kirstie Gordon, and Kathryn and Sarah Bryce from the T20 World Cup, Groves believes the experiences of those players can only benefit The Blaze in future.

“This is the team we know, and this is the squad that we’re used to being around, so it’s really nice to have everyone back,” smiled Groves.

“A good group of us went over to watch Scotland v England [at the World Cup last month] and that was really good to see and really exciting.

“For our three domestic girls, and there are domestic girls throughout that Scottish team that we see perform all the time, it was nice to see them shine on that bigger stage.”

Groves herself, meanwhile, is backing her own skills with bat and ball to feed into the overall efforts of The Blaze to finish strongly, as a Finals Day place lies within reach.

“I’m really pleased with where my bowling’s at, and I’ve been working hard all year to get that shape on the ball and spin it big, which is my point of difference.

“I know I can back myself to go out there and play some strong shots at the back end of the innings too, and power hitting is something I know I’ve always got in my locker.

“Now, we’ve been in this position before, but that’s something we’ve got experience of being able to come back from this, but we’ve got experience of being able to do that.

“Gordo [Kirstie Gordon] summed it up well after the last game, and I think the belief is still there, so we’re in a good spot.”