Women's World Cup 2022 team guide: England

The Cricketer's in-depth look at how Heather Knight's side sets up for the tournament in New Zealand

Coach: Lisa Keightley could do with a successful World Cup after the disappointment of the Ashes earlier in a long winter for England. The Australian has championed an aggressive brand of cricket but watched her side wilt against the best team in the world only a couple of months ahead of the defence of a crown won five years ago amid tremendous fanfare at Lord's.

Keightley took the reins at the most difficult point possible, walking into a T20 World Cup – where England were unconvincing but ultimately were ousted by poor weather – and then into the pandemic. She will need to be at her best to manage her squad through the second half of a mammoth trip away.

Captain: England's best player will need to be in top form if her side is to launch a serious challenge. Heather Knight played one of the great Test knocks in the history of women's international red-ball cricket in the Ashes draw in January but then appeared to have run out of steam by the time the 50-over games came about.

After a few weeks' energy renewal, England will hope their talismanic skipper is ready to go. Her hundred against New Zealand at Derby last summer was her second in ODIs and hard to beat for its composure in the midst of a difficult chase. If she can replicate that performance, then her team won't be far away.

Superstars

Nat Sciver: If Knight doesn't get you, then Sciver might do. It's been difficult to pinpoint areas where England have clearly improved under Keightley, but there is no doubting the development in Sciver's game. The allrounder has taken on a greater responsibility with the ball while becoming increasingly consistent with the bat, averaging 38.55 at a strike rate of 92.74. She frequently made starts during the Ashes but couldn't convert any of them into anything match-defining, though England were never stronger than when she and Knight were at the crease together in the Test.

Tammy Beaumont: An ODI cheatcode, only Charlotte Edwards has made more 50-over centuries for England – and in twice the number of games. It would be no surprise were Beaumont to surpass her – or at least match the former captain – during this competition, in a country where she averages 81.66 and has only been dismissed twice in six games.

On her last visit in 2021, she made fifties in all three matches. As a general rule, if Beaumont bats through, then England will be in a strong place. In an uber-aggressive top six, she is the glue – her most recent half century was her slowest in ODI cricket, using up 130 balls in an uncharacteristic knock against Australia in the final match of the Ashes series. England need her nearer her best come March.

^{Heather Knight leads England in New Zealand}

Rising star

Sophia Dunkley: It feels like a long time ago that Dunkley first emerged on the international scene, chucked into a World T20 with Katherine Brunt and Sarah Taylor both missing for England. Afterwards, she struggled to replicate the form and potential that had seen her earn that first opportunity. She returned, though, on the back of runs in the regional structure and amid a clamour for the South East Stars batter to be given a prolonged opportunity.

After impressing on Test debut, she led England to victory in her first ODI innings against India at Taunton, shepherding England home amid a top-order collapse. Her numbers have been leaner since then, but she will head into the tournament as the player in possession of a sometimes-troublesome No.6 spot.

BATTING

Power hitters

Perhaps underrated in this regard, Lauren Winfield-Hill hits as clean a ball as anyone in the England side; her pick-up over the legside is a natural stroke for the right-hander, who will likely partner Beaumont at the top of the order. Among Sciver's greatest hits for England are two different knocks against Pakistan: 137 off 92 balls at Leicester in 2017, 80 off 33 balls at Worcester a year earlier.

Knight has spoken openly in recent months about her desire to match Sciver's natural power, especially on the back foot where her flat-batted pull shot off the spinner has become a particular trademark. Danni Wyatt finds herself at No.7 in her latest itineration as a 50-over cricketer, with England desperate to find a place for their T20 dasher.

This role appears to be working, though she needs the tools to work with from those above her. Beneath, the hitters keep on coming: Katherine Brunt has been promoted on many occasions for her power game, while Sophie Ecclestone has begun to display her long-championed ability with the bat. Anya Shrubsole also hits a long ball, which she exhibited most recently in last year's Test draw with India.

Anchor

Amid a team of quick scorers, responsibility falls upon Beaumont and Knight in this regard – Beaumont with the role of batting through the innings and setting the tempo for others to bat around, with Knight's ability to dictate terms through the middle overs allowing the likes of Sciver, Amy Jones, Dunkley and Wyatt to attack around her.

Not to say that either Beaumont nor Knight are plodders, of course; Beaumont's most recent hundred – at Canterbury against New Zealand last September – was brought up with plenty of time (38 balls) still remaining in the innings, providing a platform from which her teammates dragged England to their sixth-highest ODI score.

Finisher

In all likelihood, that job will fall on Wyatt, who has made a decent fist of a volatile job since being afforded the opportunity once it became clear that her struggles at the top of the innings would force a change. Keightley, well aware of Wyatt's match-winning potential, has been keen to include her where possible, while the reliability of Sciver's bowling has allowed the selection of an extra batter at No.7. If England move away from that strategy in New Zealand and plump for the additional bowling option, then she could come under threat, though Dunkley was left out of the final Ashes rubber.

Problem areas

With Winfield-Hill still yet to fully convince – she is six years without an international fifty – England parachuted in Emma Lamb for an ODI debut in the last game of the Ashes series, only to watch the Lancastrian promptly fall to the second ball she faced. With Keightley not having overseen the proper blooding of an alternative during two years at the helm (albeit England didn't play an ODI in 2020) – instead she has chopped and changed between Wyatt and Winfield-Hill – they enter this tournament with a question-mark against the identity of Beaumont's partner.

In all likelihood, Winfield-Hill will be given the nod, though technically Lamb is the player in possession. Eve Jones might have been an option – and would have given England the rare opportunity to field a left-hander in their top seven – but she has not been tried despite her domestic form and didn't make the final squad. Amy Jones, meanwhile, is terrific with the gloves but went through the Ashes series without a significant score – her record against Australia leaves plenty to be desired.

^{Anya Shrubsole is an experienced presence with the ball}

BOWLING

Speed merchants

Even in the latter years of her career, Brunt is England's linchpin – the pick of the bowlers on either side against Australia in January and absolutely central if Knight's side are to challenge to retain their trophy.

Shrubsole has struggled with injury through the last couple of years but is a force with the new ball, swinging the ball prodigiously into the right-handers, while Sciver – who generates less movement through the air – has become a regular bowler under Keightley. Kate Cross has been the next-best seamer after Brunt in recent times, while Freya Davies' skills at the death keep her well in contention. Lauren Bell, highly rated, is a travelling reserve.

Variation

Tash Farrant is England's left-arm seamer, swinging the new ball into the right-hander at a pace that allows Jones up to the stumps, keeping batters stuck in their crease. Ecclestone is the world's best spinner despite a quiet Ashes series; her control will be key through the middle overs.

Charlie Dean is the new kid on the block, having impressed on debut against New Zealand last summer – she has usurped Mady Villiers, only a reserve, as England's off-spinner of choice. Sarah Glenn is absent – the leg-spinner opted out on account of the quarantine period and managed living conditions.

Problem areas

Glenn's absence leaves England without a leggie, something Mark Robinson worked his whole tenure to correct. Otherwise, their attack is at full strength, even if it feels as though it might just be missing an X Factor, especially if Brunt is managed through the competition. Ecclestone took just four wickets across the Ashes series – England will want more from their trump card.

FIELDING

Gun fielder

Since Fran Wilson's international retirement, there has been little doubt around the identity of England's best fielder. Wyatt is considered the best by her teammates and coaches, while Beaumont and Sciver are both excellent athletes as well.

Who takes the gloves?

Jones has established herself as England's wicketkeeper since Sarah Taylor's international retirement, with Beaumont in reserve if needed.

Squad: Heather Knight, Tammy Beaumont, Katherine Brunt, Freya Davies, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Kate Cross, Sophie Ecclestone, Tash Farrant, Amy Jones, Emma Lamb, Nat Sciver, Anya Shrubsole, Lauren Winfield-Hill, Danni Wyatt

Fixtures: March 5 – Australia; March 9 – West Indies; March 14 – South Africa; March 16 – India; March 20 – New Zealand; March 24 – Pakistan; March 27 – Bangladesh

Possible starting XI: Beaumont, Winfield-Hill, Knight, Sciver, Jones, Dunkley, Wyatt, Brunt, Ecclestone, Shrubsole, Cross

OTHER TEAM GUIDES (open in external window in app)

Australia

Bangladesh

India

New Zealand

Pakistan

South Africa

West Indies