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The Blaze (women's cricket)

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The Blaze
Personnel
CaptainKirstie Gordon
CoachChris Guest
Team information
Colours   Red and yellow
Established2020
Home groundTrent Bridge
Grace Road
Haslegrave Ground
County Ground, Derby
Queen's Park
Lindum Sports Club Ground
History
RHFT wins0
CEC wins1
Official websiteThe Blaze

Playing kit

The Blaze, previously known as Lightning, are a women's cricket team that represent the East Midlands region, one of eight regional hubs in English domestic women's cricket. They play their home matches at various grounds, including Trent Bridge and Grace Road.[1][2] They are captained by Kirstie Gordon and coached by Chris Guest.[3] The team carries over many elements of the WCSL team Loughborough Lightning. They are partnered with Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Lincolnshire.[4]

The Blaze won their first title in 2024, winning the Charlotte Edwards Cup after defeating South East Stars in the final.[5]

History

[edit]

In 2020, women's cricket in England was restructured, creating eight new 'regional hub' teams, with the intention of playing both 50-over and 20-over cricket.[6] The team, then known as Lightning, were one of the sides created under this structure, effectively replacing the Women's Cricket Super League team Loughborough Lightning and representing the East Midlands, partnering with Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Lincolnshire, as well as Loughborough University.[4] The side was to be captained by Kathryn Bryce and coached by Rob Taylor.[7] Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 season was truncated, and only 50-over cricket was played, in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy.[8] Lightning finished bottom of the North Group in the competition, winning two of their six matches.[9] At the end of the season, five Lightning players were given full-time domestic contracts, the first of their kind in England: Kathryn Bryce, Sarah Bryce, Bethan Ellis, Lucy Higham and Abigail Freeborn.[10]

The following season, 2021, Lightning competed in both the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy and the newly-formed Twenty20 competition, the Charlotte Edwards Cup. In the Charlotte Edwards Cup the side finished bottom of their group, losing all six of their matches.[11] In the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, Lightning finished fourth in the group of eight, winning three of their seven matches.[12] In the final match of the season, Lightning scored 320/6 in their victory over Central Sparks, with the Bryce sisters, Kathryn and Sarah, sharing a 207-run partnership, the highest across the competition.[13] Lightning bowler Kirstie Gordon was the leading wicket-taker in the competition, with 16 wickets.[14] Rob Taylor left his role as Head Coach at the end of the season, and was later replaced by Chris Guest.[15][3]

Lightning again finished bottom of their group in the Charlotte Edwards Cup in 2022, but did win their first Twenty20 match, beating North West Thunder by 5 wickets.[16][17] In September 2022, it was announced that Nottinghamshire CCC would become the new host of the team, replacing Loughborough University, and it was also announced that the name of the team would change.[18] The side finished sixth out of eight in the 2022 Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy.[19]

In November 2022, it was announced that the team had been renamed The Blaze.[20] Kirstie Gordon was named as the side's new captain in April 2023.[21] The side went unbeaten through the group stage of the Charlotte Edwards Cup, but lost in the final to Southern Vipers.[22][23] They also qualified for the knockout stages in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, finishing second in the group, before defeating South East Stars in the play-off.[24][25] However, they again lost to Southern Vipers in the final.[26]

In 2024, The Blaze won their first title, winning the Charlotte Edwards Cup. They finished top of the group stage after winning nine of their ten matches, before defeating Central Sparks in the semi-final and South East Stars in the final.[27][5] The Blaze batter Kathryn Bryce was the leading run-scorer in the tournament with 478 runs, whilst The Blaze bowler Kirstie Gordon was the leading wicket-taker in the tournament with 22 wickets.[28][29] The side finished fifth in the group stage of the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy.[30]

At the end of the 2024 season, reforms to the structure of domestic cricket meant that regional sides would be replaced by county teams.[31] However, in September 2024 it was confirmed that the Nottinghamshire-based side would retain the name and branding of The Blaze.[32]

Home grounds

[edit]
Venue Games hosted by season
20 21 22 23 24 Total
Trent Bridge 1 1 1 2 4 9
Grace Road 2 1 2 2 2 9
Kibworth Cricket Club Ground – 1 – – – 1
Haslegrave Ground – 2 3 2 1 8
County Ground, Derby – 1 1 1 2 5
John Fretwell Sporting Complex – – – 2 – 2
Queen's Park – – – 1 2 3
Lindum Sports Club Ground – – – – 1 1

Players

[edit]

Current squad

[edit]

As per 2024 season.[33]

  • No. denotes the player's squad number, as worn on the back of their shirt.
  • ‡ denotes players with international caps.
No. Name Nationality Birth date Batting style Bowling style Notes
Batters
4 Georgie Boyce  England (1998-10-04) 4 October 1998 (age 26) Right-handed Right-arm medium
11 Bethany Harmer  England (2000-10-30) 30 October 2000 (age 24) Right-handed Right-arm off break
23 Marie Kelly  England (1996-02-09) 9 February 1996 (age 28) Right-handed Right-arm off break
– Prisha Thanawala  England (2001-11-16) 16 November 2001 (age 22) Right-handed Right-arm off break
All-rounders
10 Nat Sciver-Brunt ‡  England (1992-08-20) 20 August 1992 (age 32) Right-handed Right-arm medium
17 Kathryn Bryce ‡  Scotland (1997-11-17) 17 November 1997 (age 26) Right-handed Right-arm medium
21 Teresa Graves  England (1998-10-10) 10 October 1998 (age 26) Right-handed Right-arm medium
– Bella Howarth  England Unknown Right-handed Right-arm medium
– Brianna Ray  Bermuda (2003-11-16) 16 November 2003 (age 20) Right-handed Right-arm medium
Wicket-keepers
8 Sarah Bryce ‡  Scotland (2000-01-08) 8 January 2000 (age 24) Right-handed —
12 Tammy Beaumont ‡  England (1991-03-11) 11 March 1991 (age 33) Right-handed —
25 Michaela Kirk  South Africa (1999-06-30) 30 June 1999 (age 25) Right-handed Right-arm off break
33 Ella Claridge ‡  United States (2002-09-28) 28 September 2002 (age 22) Right-handed —
35 Bethan Gammon  Wales (2001-03-10) 10 March 2001 (age 23) Right-handed —
– Scarlett Hughes  England (2002-06-18) 18 June 2002 (age 22) Left-handed —
— Amy Jones ‡  England (1993-06-13) 13 June 1993 (age 31) Right-handed —
Bowlers
1 Grace Ballinger  England (2002-04-03) 3 April 2002 (age 22) Left-handed Left-arm medium
3 Sarah Glenn ‡  England (1999-08-27) 27 August 1999 (age 25) Right-handed Right-arm leg break
5 Josie Groves  England (2004-09-05) 5 September 2004 (age 20) Right-handed Right-arm leg break
6 Cassidy McCarthy  England (2002-07-23) 23 July 2002 (age 22) Right-handed Right-arm medium
7 Lucy Higham  England (1997-10-17) 17 October 1997 (age 27) Right-handed Right-arm off break
22 Sophie Munro  England (2001-08-31) 31 August 2001 (age 23) Right-handed Right-arm medium
24 Kirstie Gordon ‡  England (1997-10-20) 20 October 1997 (age 27) Right-handed Slow left-arm orthodox Club captain
– Rhiannon Knowling-Davies  England Unknown Right-handed Right-arm medium

Academy

[edit]

The Blaze Academy team plays against other regional academies in friendly and festival matches across various formats. The Academy selects players from across the East Midlands region, and includes some players who are also in the first team squad. Players in the 2024 Academy are listed below:[34]

Name County
Hayva Abbott Nottinghamshire
Maria Andrews Derbyshire
Libby Armitage Lincolnshire
Olivia Baker Nottinghamshire
Flora Davies Leicestershire
Evee-Mae Hicklin Nottinghamshire
Bella Howarth Essex
Rhiannon Knowling-Davies Nottinghamshire
Brianna Ray Leicestershire
D'Nica Roff Leicestershire
Lara Shaw Derbyshire
Prisha Thanawala Leicestershire
Amy Wheeler Staffordshire
Annie Williams Nottinghamshire

Overseas players

[edit]

Coaching staff

[edit]
  • Head coach: Chris Guest
  • Regional Director: James Cutt
  • Assistant coach: Jon Bateson
  • Team Operations Executive: Sally Clarke

As of the 2024 season.[3][35]

Seasons

[edit]

Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy

[edit]
Season Final standing League standings[36] Notes
P W L T NR BP Pts NRR Pos
2020 Group stage 6 2 4 0 0 0 8 -0.113 4th DNQ
2021 Group stage 7 3 4 0 0 1 13 +0.274 4th DNQ
2022 Group stage 7 2 4 0 1 1 11 –0.630 6th DNQ
2023 Runners-up 14 7 4 0 3 4 38 +0.173 2nd Lost to Southern Vipers in the final
2024 Group stage 14 7 6 0 1 1 31 –0.176 5th DNQ

Charlotte Edwards Cup

[edit]
Season Final standing League standings Notes
P W L T NR BP Pts NRR Pos
2021 Group stages 6 0 6 0 0 0 0 –1.139 4th DNQ
2022 Group stages 6 1 5 0 0 0 4 –1.072 4th DNQ
2023 Runners-up 7 7 0 0 0 4 32 +1.765 1st Lost to Southern Vipers in the final
2024 Champions 10 9 1 0 0 3 39 +0.606 1st Won against South East Stars in the final

Statistics

[edit]

Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy

[edit]
Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy - summary of results[36]
Year Played Wins Losses Tied NR Win %
2020 6 2 4 0 0 33.33
2021 7 3 4 0 0 42.86
2022 7 2 4 0 1 28.57
2023 16 8 5 0 3 50.00
2024 14 7 6 0 1 50.00
Total 50 22 23 0 5 44.00
  • Abandoned matches are counted as NR (no result)
  • Win or loss by super over or boundary count are counted as tied.
Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy - teamwise result summary[37]
Opposition Mat Won Lost Tied NR Win %
Central Sparks 8 5 2 0 1 62.50
Northern Diamonds 8 3 4 0 1 37.50
North West Thunder 8 3 3 0 2 37.50
South East Stars 7 2 5 0 0 28.57
Southern Vipers 7 2 5 0 0 28.57
Sunrisers 6 4 2 0 0 66.67
Western Storm 6 3 2 0 1 50.00

Charlotte Edwards Cup

[edit]
Charlotte Edwards Cup - summary of results
Year Played Wins Losses Tied NR Win %
2021 6 0 6 0 0 0.00
2022 6 1 5 0 0 16.67
2023 8 7 1 0 0 87.50
2024 12 11 1 0 0 91.67
Total 32 19 13 0 0 59.38
  • Abandoned matches are counted as NR (no result)
  • Win or loss by super over or boundary count are counted as tied.
Charlotte Edwards Cup - teamwise result summary
Opposition Mat Won Lost Tied NR Win %
Central Sparks 6 4 2 0 0 66.67
Northern Diamonds 5 3 2 0 0 60.00
North West Thunder 5 4 1 0 0 80.00
South East Stars 5 2 3 0 0 40.00
Southern Vipers 7 2 5 0 0 28.57
Sunrisers 2 2 0 0 0 100.00
Western Storm 2 2 0 0 0 100.00

Records

[edit]

Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy

[edit]

Charlotte Edwards Cup

[edit]

Honours

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy Fixtures". England and Wales Cricket Board. Retrieved 6 June 2021.
  2. ^ "Women's Regional T20 2021 - Fixtures". England and Wales Cricket Board. Retrieved 6 June 2021.
  3. ^ a b c "Guest appointed as new Lightning Cricket Head Coach". Loughborough University. 1 December 2021. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
  4. ^ a b "Loughborough Selected as Host for Women's Cricket". Loughborough University. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  5. ^ a b "Bryce Sisters Star as Blaze lift Charlotte Edwards Cup". ESPNcricinfo. 22 June 2024. Retrieved 22 June 2024.
  6. ^ "ECB launches new plan to transform women's and girls' cricket". England and Wales Cricket Board. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  7. ^ "Taylor appointed as new Head Coach for Lightning Cricket". Loughborough University. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
  8. ^ "Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy: The special-edition 50-over competition explained". the Cricketer. 11 August 2020. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  9. ^ "Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy 2020/Table". ESPNCricinfo. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  10. ^ "Forty-one female players sign full-time domestic contracts". England and Wales Cricket Board. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  11. ^ "Charlotte Edwards Cup 2021/Table". ESPNCricinfo. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  12. ^ "Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy 2021/Table". ESPNCricinfo. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  13. ^ "Bryce sister-act powers Lightning as Sparks face play-off roulette". ESPNCricinfo. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  14. ^ "Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2021/Most Wickets". ESPNCricinfo. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  15. ^ "NEWS: Lightning Seek Replacement Coach As Rob Taylor Departs". CricketHer. 20 October 2021. Retrieved 20 October 2021.
  16. ^ "Tammy Beaumont's 59 leads Lightning to first-ever Charlotte Edwards Cup win". ESPNcricinfo. 21 May 2022. Retrieved 5 June 2022.
  17. ^ "Charlotte Edwards Cup 2022/Table". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 5 June 2022.
  18. ^ "Nottinghamshire to Become Women's Regional Host for East Midlands". Trent Bridge. 16 September 2022. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
  19. ^ "Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy 2022/Table". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 27 September 2022.
  20. ^ "Trent Bridge - Based Women's Regional Team Announced as 'The Blaze'". England and Wales Cricket Board. 11 November 2022. Retrieved 11 November 2022.
  21. ^ "Captain Gordon Prepared for Challenge as New Season Nears". Trent Bridge. 17 April 2023. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
  22. ^ "Charlotte Edwards Cup 2023/Tables". England and Wales Cricket Board. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  23. ^ "Danni Wyatt, Anya Shrubsole star as Southern Vipers defend Charlotte Edwards Cup in style". ESPN Cricinfo. 10 June 2023. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
  24. ^ "Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy 2023". England and Wales Cricket Board. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  25. ^ "Blaze emerge victorious after the deluge to book RHF final spot". ESPN Cricinfo. 21 September 2023. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
  26. ^ "Windsor ties knot on Southern Vipers domestic double". ESPN Cricinfo. 24 September 2023. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  27. ^ "Charlotte Edwards Cup 2024 - Points Table". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
  28. ^ "Records/Charlotte Edwards Cup, 2024/Most Runs". ESPNCricinfo. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
  29. ^ "Records/Charlotte Edwards Cup, 2024/Most Wickets". ESPNCricinfo. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
  30. ^ "Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy 2024 - Points Table". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
  31. ^ "Eight Tier 1 Counties confirmed for 2025 and plans unveiled for four more women's professional domestic teams by 2029". England and Wales Cricket Board. 17 April 2024. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
  32. ^ "Vitality Blast and Metro Bank One Day Cup align with women's game to drive professionalism and growth". England and Wales Cricket Board. 5 September 2024. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
  33. ^ "The Blaze/Players and Staff". Trent Bridge. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
  34. ^ "Blaze Academy: Introducing the Class of 2024". Trent Bridge. 1 November 2023. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
  35. ^ "Loughborough alumnus appointed Lightning's new Regional Director of Women's Cricket". Loughborough University. 31 January 2022. Retrieved 31 January 2022.
  36. ^ a b "Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy Tables". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  37. ^ "Lightning Match Results". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  38. ^ a b "Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2020 - Lightning/Highest totals". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  39. ^ a b "Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2021 - Lightning/Highest totals". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  40. ^ a b "Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2022 - Lightning/Highest totals". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 27 September 2022.
  41. ^ a b "Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2023 - The Blaze/Highest totals". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  42. ^ a b "Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2024 - The Blaze/Highest totals". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
  43. ^ "Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2020 - Lightning/High scores". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  44. ^ "Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2021 - Lightning/High scores". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  45. ^ "Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2022 - Lightning/High scores". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 27 September 2022.
  46. ^ "Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2023 - The Blaze/High scores". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  47. ^ "Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2024 - The Blaze/High scores". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
  48. ^ "Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2020 - Lightning/Best bowling figures in an innings". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  49. ^ "Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2021 - Lightning/Best bowling figures in an innings". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  50. ^ "Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2022 - Lightning/Best bowling figures in an innings". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 27 September 2022.
  51. ^ "Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2023 - The Blaze/Best bowling figures in an innings". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  52. ^ "Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2024 - The Blaze/Best bowling figures in an innings". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
  53. ^ "Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2020 - Lightning/Most runs". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  54. ^ "Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2021 - Lightning/Most runs". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  55. ^ "Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2022 - Lightning/Most runs". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 27 September 2022.
  56. ^ "Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2023 - The Blaze/Most runs". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  57. ^ "Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2024 - The Blaze/Most runs". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
  58. ^ "Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2020 - Lightning/Most wickets". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  59. ^ "Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2021 - Lightning/Most wickets". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  60. ^ "Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2022 - Lightning/Most wickets". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 27 September 2022.
  61. ^ "Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2023 - The Blaze/Most wickets". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  62. ^ "Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2024 - The Blaze/Most wickets". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
  63. ^ a b "Records/Charlotte Edwards Cup, 2021 - Lightning/Highest Totals". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  64. ^ a b "Records/Charlotte Edwards Cup, 2022 - Lightning/Highest Totals". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 5 June 2022.
  65. ^ a b "Records/Charlotte Edwards Cup, 2023 - The Blaze/Highest Totals". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  66. ^ a b "Records/Charlotte Edwards Cup, 2024 - The Blaze/Highest Totals". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
  67. ^ "Records/Charlotte Edwards Cup, 2021 - Lightning/High Scores". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  68. ^ "Records/Charlotte Edwards Cup, 2022 - Lightning/High Scores". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 5 June 2022.
  69. ^ "Records/Charlotte Edwards Cup, 2023 - The Blaze/High Scores". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  70. ^ "Records/Charlotte Edwards Cup, 2024 - The Blaze/High Scores". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
  71. ^ "Records/Charlotte Edwards Cup, 2021 - Lightning/Best Bowling Figures in an Innings". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  72. ^ "Records/Charlotte Edwards Cup, 2022 - Lightning/Best Bowling Figures in an Innings". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 5 June 2022.
  73. ^ "Records/Charlotte Edwards Cup, 2023 - The Blaze/Best Bowling Figures in an Innings". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  74. ^ "Records/Charlotte Edwards Cup, 2024 - The Blaze/Best Bowling Figures in an Innings". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
  75. ^ "Records/Charlotte Edwards Cup, 2021 - Lightning/Most runs". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  76. ^ "Records/Charlotte Edwards Cup, 2022 - Lightning/Most runs". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 5 June 2022.
  77. ^ "Records/Charlotte Edwards Cup, 2023 - The Blaze/Most runs". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  78. ^ "Records/Charlotte Edwards Cup, 2024 - The Blaze/Most runs". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
  79. ^ "Records/Charlotte Edwards Cup, 2021 - Lightning/Most wickets". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  80. ^ "Records/Charlotte Edwards Cup, 2022 - Lightning/Most wickets". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 5 June 2022.
  81. ^ "Records/Charlotte Edwards Cup, 2023 - The Blaze/Most wickets". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  82. ^ "Records/Charlotte Edwards Cup, 2024 - The Blaze/Most wickets". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
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