The bowler attributed her strong performances in the West Indies to having a clear role in the team and the support of senior teammates, including Katherine Brunt and Kate Cross
England have the freedom to play "inspiring and entertaining" cricket under new head coach, Jon Lewis, says bowler Lauren Bell.
Lewis replaced Lisa Keightley as head coach in November and promised to "take the hand brake off" and introduce a brand of cricket which will "push" Australia "off the top".
In his first series in charge, England completed a convincing 3-0 win in the ODI leg of their tour against West Indies, including twice bowling their hosts out for under 120, before beginning the five-match T20I series with an eight-wicket win in North Sound.
"I'm really enjoying the tour so far," Bell said. "It's been great to have new coaches in and around the squad and Jon has come in and [driven] us to be inspiring and entertaining for anyone who's watching women's cricket. I think it's a really good way to view the game and it's moving in the right direction."
Bell in action in the first T20I [CWI Media]
Bell was one of a number of young players introduced onto the international stage by Keightley, making her England debut in a Test match against South Africa in Taunton in June 2022. She has since been capped in all formats and has looked completely at home in her first tour of the Caribbean, even opening the bowling alongside Katherine Brunt and Kate Cross.
The right-arm pace bowler picked up 1 for 36 in the second 50-over clash before returning career-best ODI figures of 4 for 33, including the big wicket of Hayley Matthews, in the third as West Indies were all out for 118. Bell added a further three wickets in the opening T20I, finishing with 3 for 26, and believes her strong performances are the result of having a clearly defined role and support from experienced teammates.
"The West Indies has been a good tour so far," she said, reflecting on her performances. "The confidence I have from the coaches, the backing from the coaches and from Heather [Knight] has put me in a really good place.
"I know my role in the team and I know where I stand, so I guess being valued and being part of the team is a big role in [my performances].
Bell is keen to learn from the likes of Katherine Brunt [CWI Media]
"[The first T20I] was the first time I'd played with Katherine [Brunt] in my career so that was pretty special – not many people can say they've done that. Having her around and Crossy in the ODIs, I think I can learn so much and they're really open and helping me with anything. It was a really good experience."
Looking to the future, the 21-year-old has her sights firmly set on securing a spot in England's squad for the 2023 T20 World Cup, which is scheduled to begin in South Africa on February 10.
"It's my goal to get in that World Cup squad and that's a big focus for us," she said. "The next four T20s is a good chance to put a stamp to the rest of the world about where we are with our cricket and how good a T20 squad we can be.
"It will also be a good chance to play some of the girls who have maybe not played so much T20 cricket and see what our different options are."
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