Charlie Dean says England coach Charlotte Edwards has given her side a simple message to ‘keep winning’ ahead of the Women’s T20 World Cup and their series against India.
England started their T20 summer campaign in brilliant fashion, with their bowlers lifting Edwards’ side to a 2-1 series victory over New Zealand, following a dominant seven-wicket victory at Hove on Monday.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Full highlights from the third T20 in Hove as England secured a series win over New Zealand with the home World Cup looming
Next up comes India, who bested Edwards’ side 3-2 when these teams last met in the UK last summer. Both teams will square off in the first of their three-match T20 series in Chelmsford on Thursday, live on Sky Sports.
India will be a stern test for England, but the vice-captain, who has been standing in for injured skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt in recent weeks, believes her side can beat anyone on their day.
“I think it’s important for us to talk about it,” she told Sky Sports, when speaking on how her side will handle the pressure of this summer’s World Cup.
“We know that the eyes are on us, and people want us to do well. But we know that if we’re on our best day, we can beat anyone, and it’s just getting to that ‘how’ as a team.”
Dean added that coach Edwards, who was a part of the team when England last won the Women’s T20 World Cup in 2009, wants her side to develop a ruthless edge.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Nasser Hussain admits he was pleased with England’s win over New Zealand but is not going over the top ahead of the T20 World Cup
“Lottie’s [Edwards’] messaging is really simple: international cricket is about winning,” Dean said. “It doesn’t matter how you get over the line, but wanting to do that in a convincing way, or scrappy in some cases.
“But when you’re on top [it’s about] trying to really stay there, T20 cricket has its ebbs and flows, but if you can ride the waves and throw a few counterattacks and try and get on top of the game as early as possible, then that’s what we’re trying to achieve.
“Lottie [Edwards] is a renowned winner. She knows how to win games of cricket as a player and as a coach [and is] trying to inspire some of those themes for us.”
Dean took three wickets during the final T20 match vs New Zealand
England’s bowlers embodied that on Monday. Dean, along with Dani Gibson, took three wickets apiece against New Zealand in what was a dominant bowling display, bowling the White Ferns out for just 80.
Dean lauded her team-mates for their execution with the ball and singled out the bowling partnership of Linsey Smith and Lauren Bell.
“I thought our opening bowlers and bowling attack on the whole has been exceptional,” Dean said.
“I guess Linsey with the new ball and Lauren Bell, they’re both swinging it around. It was really exciting for us.
She added: “[New Zealand allrounder] Sophie Devine is a hugely powerful player. And we put in a really complete performance with the ball, which is really pleasing.”
Dean praised for her leadership
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
England captain Charlie Dean explains the decision to take Linsey Smith off during the powerplay after picking up two wickets.
England vice-captain Dean has excelled in the absence of Sciver-Brunt and has received the plaudits of her team-mate Amy Jones.
Sciver-Brunt’s return from a hamstring injury is still uncertain; however, should she be unavailable, Dean is ready to step up once again.
“Everyone’s got full confidence in Charlie,” Jones said on Wednesday.
“Whenever she’s needed to step up and captain, we know she’d do an amazing job.”
Juggling the captaincy and continuing to perform is no easy task, but Dean has done so with aplomb.
“I think it’s definitely a skill, you know,” she said. “Most captains in cricket are probably batters, so it’s definitely being able to find the moments to really focus on myself and make sure that I get all my preparation in, so that when I’m on the pitch, I can do my captaincy bits.
Charlie Dean has been deputising as captain for the injured Nat Sciver-Brunt so far this summer
“But then when I’m bowling, I’m just thinking about bowling, and I’ve got a really brilliant leadership team around me who help me out as well.
“Dani Gibson’s my vice-captain and Lauren Bell is in there as a bowling lead and Sophia Dunkley as well.
“We work quite closely. They know what I need when I’m bowling, so that I can perform at my best. It was nice to get a bit of reward in the last game and keep things as simple as possible when I’m bowling, that’s the way to go.”
England’s batting logjam
Edwards faces a selection headache with her top order ahead of the T20 World Cup.
Alice Capsey has thrust herself into contention following her outstanding performance in England’s victory against New Zealand in Derby, posting a score of 74 not out off 51 deliveries.
But Capsey faces a battle for a spot in the starting XI against Heather Knight, Sophia Dunkley, Scriver-Brunt, when she is fit to return to play, and Danni Wyatt-Hodge, who is expected to return from parental leave during the series against India.
Speaking ahead of Thursday’s match against India, Sky Sports summariser Tash Farrant gave her verdict on who could start in England’s batting line-up at the World Cup.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
England missed two run out chances against New Zealand, how costly will they prove?
“I think it’s on the next couple of games, and I think they’re all brilliant players,” former England seamer Farrant said.
“Danni Wyatt-Hodge has been brilliant over the last couple of years. Sophia Dunkley has been as well. But Alice Capsey has just thrown a spanner in the works, because I hadn’t even thought – and I’m sure they hadn’t even thought that she could potentially open – but that first game, she did that really well.
“She’s more of a boundary hitter, and I think England need to go towards that power hitting if they want to compete with India, who have got Smriti Mandhana and Richa Ghosh.
“We’ve got to see what form Danni (Wyatt-Hodge) is in. I think she’s probably the one who has her name on the team sheet at the moment, just because of what she’s done, and her T20 record speaks for itself.
“It’s a really tough decision that I do think is all down to who’s in the best form.”
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Sky Sports’ Nasser Hussain declared ‘spin will dominate’ the upcoming T20 World Cup – and outlined who would star for England
England vs India fixtures
All times UK and Ireland, all live on Sky Sports
First T20 (Chelmsford) – Thursday May 28 (6.30pm)Second T20 (Bristol) – Saturday May 30 (2.30pm)Third T20 (Taunton) – Tuesday June 2 (6.30pm)
Watch the Women’s T20 World Cup live in full on Sky Sports from June 12-July 5. Hosts England kick off the tournament on opening night with a game versus Sri Lanka at Edgbaston (6.30pm start). Not got Sky? Get Sky Sports or stream with NOW
