WWT20 TEAM GUIDES: England, the perfect mix of youth and experience

The current holders of the 50 over World Cup, England should be strong contenders in the Caribbean after a successful summer, which included victory in a Tri Series featuring New Zealand and South Africa

The current holders of the 50-over World Cup, England should be strong contenders in the Caribbean after a successful summer, which included victory in a Tri Series featuring New Zealand and South Africa.

The tournament comes at a time when the profile of women’s cricket in England continues to rise, thanks in part to the success of the Kia Super League (KSL).

The KSL has proved extremely popular and provided a big stage for not only established international players but also for the up and coming young talent. Therefore, expectations are high for an England team that has found a good balance of experience and youth in recent years.

England have named three uncapped players in their squad. Kirstie Gordon, Linsey Smith and Sophia Dunkley all impressed in the recent KSL and have deservedly earned their first call-ups.

Form

England go into the competition ranked third in the world, with Australia and New Zealand above them. However, this summer Mark Robinson's team beat the Kiwis in the women’s T20 Tri Series final with what was described as a near-perfect performance.

That alone showed that it will take a very good team to beat Heather Knight and Co in the upcoming World T20.

During the Tri Series, many records were broken, including England setting the biggest T20 score in women’s cricket, 250 for three against South Africa.

This was largely due to the big-hitting of Tammy Beaumont, who clubbed 116 off 52 balls. In her innings she hit 18 fours and four sixes at an outstanding strike rate of 223.07.

The Tri Series gave a clear indication of just how much the England team has developed in recent years. They now play fast-paced, hard-hitting T20 cricket. During the Tri Series, England posted scores of 250, 160, 172, 130 and 141, a series average of 170 runs per innings. Their performances should give Heather Knight’s side plenty of confidence going into the World Cup.

^{Sophie Ecclestone}

Star Players

Sophie Ecclestone and Nat Sciver

Although still relatively inexperienced compared to fellow England spinners, Ecclestone’s recent strong form was recognised recently by being awarded the PCA Women’s Player of the Summer.

It has been a fantastic breakthrough summer for Ecclestone who took 20 wickets at an average of 16.6, with best figures of 4-18.

Sciver was recently named as one of Wisden’s five Cricketers of the Year and she led the Surrey Stars to a 66-run win over Loughborough Lightning in the KSL final in August.

She not only led her side to victory in this year’s competition but performed consistently with both bat and ball, scoring 362 runs and taking 10 wickets. Sciver's substantial experience is another of her great strengths - she was a key cog in England's 50-over World Cup win last year. 

^{Tammy Beaumont}

Strengths

England’s strengths lay particularly in their batting depth. The line-up is strong from top to bottom with players such as Katherine Brunt, who was previously recognised more as a bowler, stepping up to become a hard hitting allrounder.

Mark Robinson’s team will be without the world’s No.1 wicketkeeper Sarah Taylor who misses the competition as part of the ongoing management of her anxiety.

However, her replacement is Amy Jones, who has recently proven herself a reliable top-order batsman and showed great promise in the summer’s Tri Series.

Although the World T20 follows a different format to the ODIs in which Jones appears strongest, the fact that England can call on a player of her ability to replace Taylor shows that the squad has significant strength.

England also have several reliable wicket-takers, including Danielle Hazell (sixth in the ICC bowling rankings) and Anya Shrubsole who took 6-46 including five wickets in 19 balls in last year’s World Cup success.

^{Heather Knight}

Weaknesses

England’s weakness lies in the consistency of their fielding. On a number of occasions dropped catches have threatened to change the outcome of key games, even in the World Cup final last year, and this is something that Heather Knight will be keen for her team to put right for the upcoming T20 World Cup.

Another factor to consider is how England adapt to the pitches out in the Caribbean. The wickets will be slow and this will be something to which they will have to adapt to quickly if they are going to be successful.

Chances of winning

England go into the competition as one of the favourites. If they perform to their potential and at the level they reached in the recent T20I games, they should be confident in going a long way.

England face Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, South Africa and West Indies in the group stages. Their toughest matches are likely to be against current World T20 champions West Indies and South Africa, who have been the world’s most improved team in recent years.

South Africa will also want to make sure they are on the winning side and not repeat the heartache of losing in the semi-final to England in last year’s 50-over World Cup. England have a team full of match-winners and will be heading into the competition as one of the teams to beat.

Prediction: Runners-up

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This year’s competition will be Jenny Gunn’s sixth T20 World Cup!

Fixture list (all UK time): Sri Lanka (Nov 10, 8pm), Bangladesh (Nov 12, 8pm), South Africa (Nov 16, 8pm), West Indies (Nov 18, 8pm)