England wrapped up an unbeaten home summer by defeating New Zealand by 20 runs at Lord's, achieving a 5-0 whitewash in their series. This victory means the only blemish on their record was a rain-affected match against Pakistan in May, ending their season with 13 wins out of 14 matches.
Head coach Jon Lewis expressed his satisfaction with the team's performance, noting the contributions of nearly every squad member. He highlighted the team's depth of talent and highlighted the significant investment in player development and growth.
With only three T20Is left before heading to Bangladesh for the World Cup in October, all against Ireland, Lewis remains confident that the depth shown in the recent series against New Zealand and Pakistan will serve them well. He mentioned the team's flexibility, stating they have a pool of 18 players to choose from, rather than relying on a fixed group of seven.
However, England faced a challenging start at Lord's, with Kiwi spinner Fran Jonas taking 4-22 and reducing them to 87-6. Heather Knight (46) and Charlie Dean (24) led a crucial recovery, pushing England to a final score of 155. This total proved insurmountable for New Zealand, with only Amelia Kerr providing significant resistance, scoring 43 off 35 balls.
As the World Cup approaches, here's a look at England's preparation:
Batting
England's standout batting performance came in the opening match, where they scored their second-highest home total in T20Is with 197-3 in Southampton. This match solidified Danni Wyatt and Maia Bouchier as the preferred opening pair, with Wyatt scoring 76 off 51 balls and Bouchier adding a crucial 32. Alice Capsey, batting at No.3, delivered a match-winning half-century at Canterbury. Sophia Dunkley, returning to the squad, also impressed with scores of 35 and 26, positioning herself as a key spare batter for the World Cup.
Bowling
Spin has been the key to England's success, with Sophie Ecclestone, Sarah Glenn, and Charlie Dean dominating throughout the series. Glenn was particularly outstanding, earning player of the series honours with eight wickets at an average of 6.9 and an economy rate of 4.3. Ecclestone, the world's No.1 T20I bowler, and Dean, with her all-around capabilities, are crucial for England, especially with the T20 World Cup being held in spin-friendly Bangladesh.
Freya Kemp's return to bowling after a stress fracture is a significant boost, competing with Dani Gibson for the No.7 spot. Lauren Filer and Lauren Bell, both impressive in the series, will vie for the role of England's specialist seamer.
Fielding
Amy Jones continued to excel as a wicketkeeper, showcasing her skills with two catches and a stumping in the final match. Lewis praised the team's improved fielding, highlighting Sarah Glenn's progress from being a hidden fielder to making impactful diving catches and stops.
Predicted XI for the World Cup
- Danni Wyatt
- Maia Bouchier
- Alice Capsey
- Nat Sciver-Brunt
- Heather Knight
- Amy Jones
- Freya Kemp/Dani Gibson
- Charlie Dean
- Sophie Ecclestone
- Sarah Glenn
- Lauren Bell/Lauren Filer
With the World Cup on the horizon, England's unbeaten summer serves as a testament to their readiness and depth, positioning them as strong contenders to challenge Australia for the top spot.