Sky Sports activities’ Charles Dagnall has his say on England’s prospects on the Girls’s World Cup, saying the return to health of Heather Knight is vital and hailing the event of seamer Lauren Bell.
Watch England’s opening recreation, towards South Africa, dwell on Sky Sports activities Cricket and Sky Sports activities Essential Occasion from 10am on Friday (10.30am first ball).
Given the assets England have and the cash they’re on in comparison with another nations, the minimal they need to count on on this World Cup is to achieve the ultimate.
Nevertheless, taking into consideration their latest performances – previous to their warm-up wins over India and Australia – the actual fact they have been overwhelmed 2-1 at house by India this summer time and misplaced each recreation within the Ashes abroad final winter, I’m not filled with confidence.
I believe their fielding has been very, very common during the last 12-18 months. Regardless of how exhausting they are saying they’re working at it, I’ve not seen a large enchancment.
The distinction between their fielding and India and Australia’s is stark. You possibly can add South Africa to that as nicely.
I’d count on England to get to a semi-final – and if they do not they’ve had an absolute shocker. If that occurs, you’d virtually be in ‘tear it up and begin once more’ territory.
Charlotte Edwards’ England aspect ought to attain no less than the semi-finals of the Girls’s Cricket World Cup, says Charles Dagnall
They could nicely try this anyway after this World Cup as loads of gamers are on the again finish of their careers and for a few of them their performances haven’t been constant.
In the event that they get to the final 4 then something can occur. Nat Sciver-Brunt may have a few days out and then you definitely win the factor. However I believe India and Australia are stronger, and South Africa about the identical as England.
Lack of planning towards spin?
Situations in India have modified a bit bit from my expertise of masking the Girls’s Premier League, turning into a bit extra batter and seamer pleasant with grass left on the pitches. Plus, the ICC will desire a good product with runs on the board.
Nonetheless, England have struggled batting towards spin for fairly a while.
England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt is without doubt one of the greatest gamers of spin bowling
I do not assume there’s sufficient planning from a few of their batters by way of ‘the place’s my one, the place’s my 4, the place’s my launch shot, how can I manipulate the sphere?’
They get slowed down loads of the time, strive one thing massively expansive to get themselves out of it after which come unstuck.
Sciver-Brunt is arguably the most effective gamers of spin on the earth, with a way that works and the flexibility to control the sphere and to place the onus again on the bowlers. I’m apprehensive that loads of different batters do not have the planning to do this.
Heather Knight definitely does, so it’s large for England that she is again after her hamstring damage in the summertime. You’re feeling extra assured when she is within the engine room together with her potential to brush. She prizes her wicket dearly and would not give it away.
Heather Knight is again within the England squad after a hamstring damage wrecked her house summer time
Outdoors of her batting, I believe she is somebody captain Sciver-Brunt can lean on. I’ve mentioned that I believe Nat will be discovered a bit bit wanting tactically so to have Knight’s huge information to faucet into, as a former captain, is a lift.
‘Bell the most effective seamers on the earth’
Bowling-wise, I’d be tempted to go along with the categorical tempo of Lauren Filer in tandem with fellow seamer Lauren Bell after which play three spinners.
That will most likely imply Charlie Dean at No 7, Sophie Ecclestone at No 8 after which an extended tail however Dean and Ecclestone can each bat and if you cannot rating runs all the way down to No 8 then you should ask questions of the batters.
Filer’s pace is talked about rather a lot and is a giant weapon however Bell has actually come on – you now have a way more full bowler, the most effective seamers on the earth.
Lauren Bell has developed her recreation and is now a way more full bowler
You need to give big credit score to England bowling coaches Chris Liddle and Matt Mason, in addition to Lauren herself, for the quantity of labor put in.
Bell has modified from a participant who bowls large hooping in-swingers with a barely unbalanced, uneven motion to somebody who can bowl away swing.
She has additionally discovered an additional yard of tempo.
Her peak offers her a bonus over loads of different bowlers and she or he is a respectable wicket-taking risk, particularly with the brand new ball – though she’s going to admit herself that her first over is at all times a shocker!
I’m nonetheless a bit involved together with her on the demise, although. I believe she is ripe for getting smashed. Her slower ball, for me, is a bit too sluggish and if she will get it fallacious it sits up properly for the batter, so a bit extra canniness is required to remain one step forward.
Watch the Girls’s Cricket World Cup dwell on Sky Sports activities Cricket in full, as much as and together with the ultimate on Sunday November 2. England face South Africa of their opening recreation on Friday (10.30am first ball in Guwahati). Stream contract-free with NOW.
