Lizelle Lee joins The Blaze for remainder of Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy

The former South Africa international, who represents Trent Rockets in The Hundred, replaces compatriot Nadine de Klerk

The Blaze have recruited Lizelle Lee for the remainder of the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy.

The former South Africa international replaces compatriot Nadine de Klerk, who has been named in the Proteas squad for their upcoming tour of Pakistan (September 1-14).

De Klerk represented The Blaze in both T20 and List A cricket, amassing 187 runs and 28 wickets in 15 appearances and topping the wicket-taking charts in the Charlotte Edwards Cup.

Lee is no stranger to the East Midlands, having represented Trent Rockets in recently concluded edition of The Hundred.

A big-hitting top-order batter, Lee has scored over 6,500 runs, including eight centuries and 47 half-centuries, in 179 List A appearances. 3,315 of those runs came at a strike rate of 84.22 in 100 ODI caps for South Africa – Mignon du Preez is the only player with more runs in the format for the Proteas women.

^{Lee replaces compatriot Nadine de Klerk [Harry Trump/Getty Images]}

The Blaze, who finished second in the Charlotte Edwards Cup after losing to Southern Vipers in the final, currently sit top of the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy table, with six wins from their 10 matches and a 13-point cushion over fourth-placed Northern Diamonds, all but assuring them of a top-three finish. 

"I am very excited to join up with The Blaze, particularly having played with some of my soon-to-be teammates during The Hundred," she said. "They have been playing really well across all competitions so far, and I hope that I can contribute and help push for qualification in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy."

Head coach, Chris Guest, said: "Lizelle is a great addition for us as we get to the business end of the competition.

"We'll benefit not only from her skills, but her knowhow in big games too. We've seen plenty of times how destructive she can be on her day.

"We are in a good position with our focus solely on 50-over cricket now, which gives the team a real energy and drive to finish the season well, and Lizelle will add impetus to the group."

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