After registering a series win in New Zealand last month, the England women believe they still have a lot to do ahead of the multi-format showdown with Pakistan.
England impressively defeated New Zealand 4-1 in the five T20I legs in April, with Maia Boucher hitting 43 not out (1st T20), 71 (3rd T20) and 91 (4th T20). I marked the score and bet on the victory. A terrifying opening batter.
However, Heather Knight’s side struggled to find points during the ODI leg of the tour, but still managed to win their third straight match 3-1. Importantly, this tour highlighted areas of improvement and his T20 World Cup in Bangladesh. sky sports – Just five months later, England will use this series against Pakistan to fine-tune their style before heading to the subcontinent.
“Honestly, I didn’t play my best in that one-day series and I actually learned a lot from it,” Knight said. Sky Sports News.
“There were some really good performances from Amy Jones and Charlie Dean at the back end who got us out of some sticky situations. “We had played very little one-day cricket and that helped us “We were able to know the tempo we should move forward in as a hitting group.”
“We’re really happy with this winter and were able to give different opportunities to a few players, some of whom were absent from the Women’s Premier League.
“Players like Boussier have really taken their chances. She looks very natural when she’s in full flow, and it’s the same with her fielding. She’s a natural athlete and a natural ball striker, so it’s important for her. I think it’s just about stringing together consistent performances.”
“Maia has always had talent and now she’s starting to translate that into performance, and that’s because of the work she’s put in, not only technically but also in her mental game and how she wants to approach things. is.
“That’s really pleasing for us. We have a lot of competition in the top order and a lot of people knocking on the door, so I think Maia is going to grab that opportunity with both hands and really make that spot his own. I hope we can make it happen.”
Sophia Dunkley and Tammy Beaumont have been left out of England’s T20 squad ahead of the tour to Pakistan. The two formed England’s opening partnership at the start of the New Zealand tour, but their contribution was underwhelming.
but, Dunkley was a timely reminder of his abilities. She scored 130 points for South East Stars in the Rachel Hayhoe Flint Trophy on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Pakistan will also be looking to rebuild their team after losing 4-1 at home to West Indies in the T20I series earlier this month.
Former women’s captain Bismah Marouf also announced her retirement from the international scene in April, after an 18-year career with 276 appearances. The baton has been passed to Nida Dar, whose game against England will be her first.
“We’re obviously going to focus on what we do best and do things our way,” Knight said.
“It will be a really good challenge for us. Pakistan have a lot of spinners, there will be a lot of spin on the ball and the batsmen will hit the ball into different areas.
“I’m excited to get serious in the summer. I think it’s going to be a good test and there’s going to be a good crowd at Edgbaston with a few Pakistan supporters, so it’s going to be an interesting development.”
“The T20 World Cup is coming up and that’s an important thing in our sights, so we’re trying to figure out exactly how we want things to go, how we want to play and hopefully entertain some people. I have decided.”
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has already sold more than 75,000 tickets for the Pakistan series and the summer tour of New Zealand, more than this time last year, including the Ashes tour. exceeds the sales amount.
Early this year, ECB announces creation of three-tier domestic competition structure And changes in the ownership model that supports the women’s professional game.
In addition to the new structure, the ECB will invest an additional £4m to £5m a year in the women’s professional game from 2025 to 2028, taking the annual investment to a maximum of £16m.
Under the plan, the current eight women’s regional teams will evolve into “Tier 1 clubs”, each to be “owned, managed and operated by an individual First Class County (FCC) or Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC)”. Become.
Skipper Knight backed the move, saying it was a “very good move” for the women’s game and the next stage of its development.
“Clubs that get it can expect to benefit from having a women’s team there,” Knight added.
“Obviously there’s a bit of disappointment for the team for not achieving Tier 1 status, but overall it’s a very good move.”
Watch live as England Women take on Pakistan in the T20I and ODI series sky sports cricket, Saturday, May 11th from 2pm.
Women’s Vitality IT20 Series vs Pakistan – Live on Sky Sports
May 11th: 1st Women’s IT20 – Birmingham, Edgbaston, 2.30pm
May 17th: 2nd Women’s IT20 – County Ground, Northampton, 6.30pm
May 19th: 3rd Women’s IT20 – Leeds, Headingley, 1pm
Women’s Metrobank One-Day International Series vs Pakistan – Live on Sky Sports
May 23rd: 1st Women’s One Day International – Derby, Incola County Ground, 1pm.
May 26th: 2nd Women’s One Day International – Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton, 11am.
May 29th: 3rd Women’s One Day International – Cloud County Ground, Chelmsford, 1pm.
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