After Friday’s thrilling three-wicket victory over Hampshire, head coach Craig Cumming backed Emma Jones for a bright future.

Jones scored 37* to carry The Blaze over the line at Trent Bridge and extend their lead at the top of the table.

Speaking after the match, Cumming said: “It’s great to see her [Jones] contribute with the bat.

“She works incredibly hard, she's got a huge amount of skill, but there's nothing like having a couple of performances like she's put in the last two games.

“I talk about walking off with the bail in your pocket. She's been able to do that. Days like today, when you’ve been there at the end, make you feel more confident.

“And I can tell you, an Emma Jones, who keeps getting more confident, we're going to see some real special things from her in the future.”

Cumming also praised The Blaze’s seam bowling duo, Charley Phillips and Grace Ballinger, who were crucial in bowling Hampshire out for 209.

Phillips took two wickets in her first over, and finished with figures of 4-31, while Ballinger bowled with control and picked up the final wicket of the innings.

Cumming said: “When we look back on this block [of the One-Day Cup], our bowling has been outstanding, especially our power play bowling and our death bowling.

“Charley's had a golden period, she's worked really hard, and she's really challenged batters.

“When I came over last year, and when Luke Fletcher came into the set-up, we were both really excited about what we saw with Charley. She didn't quite get the opportunities last year, because Cassidy McCarthy and Grace were bowling well.

“This year, we haven't had Cass, so it's given Charley an opportunity with the new ball. She's worked really hard on her consistency in her line and length.

“She brings the stumps into play, she can swing the ball, she doesn't give bad balls, and then the ability to bowl yorkers and her slower balls at the death, she's really worked hard on that.

“She's picked up the rewards, but don't forget, at the other end, Grace has done an amazing job. Her spell today, five overs for 10, there's no let-up. And Charley's probably benefiting from the pressure that Grace has created.

“Batting is about partnerships, but so is bowling.”

After six wins on the bounce, the Blaze sit nine points clear of Hampshire in second place after the first block of fixtures.

“It's been an interesting block. At times we've played some really good cricket, at times we've put ourselves under pressure, but that's what 50-over cricket is about.

“You want to go through these phases and be challenged and test yourself. That's how you learn.

“You can't win a competition at this time of the year, but you can certainly go a long way towards making it harder, and we've put ourselves in a nice position.”