Lauren Bell's Evolution

As spectators, we often miss the unseen struggles that athletes face behind the scenes. For fast bowler Lauren Bell, this summer was marked by a significant challenge—reconstructing her bowling action while continuing to perform at the highest level. Despite claiming 18 wickets in nine international matches over the summer, and another nine in The Hundred, the 23-year-old has been grappling with the most difficult task for any sportsperson: changing her natural technique.

In a candid interview on the BBC’s Tailenders podcast, Bell shared how overthinking her bowling mechanics had taken a toll on her performance. She explained that constantly analyzing her technique during matches put her in an uncomfortable headspace. While trying to maintain focus on her game, her mind was fixated on perfecting her form, making the process anything but instinctive.

Bell initially rose to prominence during the first season of The Hundred in 2021, known for her height, decent speed, and the ability to deliver a sharp inswinger to right-handers. She quickly earned an international debut in the following summer, impressing fans and opponents alike. However, despite two strong seasons in international cricket, and after a drawn but unsuccessful Ashes series, Bell sought to elevate her game.

After consulting with Matt Mason, England’s fast-bowling coach, and head coach Jon Lewis, Bell realised that the very aspect of her action that made her successful was also limiting her potential. Her tendency to fall to the left in her delivery stride made it difficult to develop an outswinger, while also causing recurring back pain. The coaches suggested that by making her action more upright, she could gain more pace and bounce, and eventually be able to swing the ball both ways.

At first, Bell hesitated. For months, she would experiment with the new technique, only to revert to her old ways. It wasn’t until her return from New Zealand in March that she fully committed to the change. Working tirelessly with Mason in training sessions away from the public eye, Bell focused on getting her body more upright, keeping both feet on the ground during her delivery, and reducing the backward drag that had been holding her back.

Bell’s story isn’t unique—other renowned bowlers like James Anderson and Mitchell Johnson have gone through similar transformations—but she had the added challenge of refining her action while competing throughout an entire English summer. The journey has been filled with successes, but also struggles, such as the 17 wides she bowled during four one-day internationals this summer.

Bell acknowledged that the change is not a quick fix. Every time she feels she has mastered her new technique in practice, a match will remind her that the process is ongoing. Her skillset has shifted dramatically, now requiring her to actively choose how to position her wrist for different types of deliveries, whereas before she simply relied on natural inswing.

As England prepares for the T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates, Bell feels she is in a much better place with her action after another intensive training period. She has also realised that just because she has perfected the outswinger, it doesn’t mean it’s always the best option. Bell admitted that she became so focused on showing off her new skill that she forgot about reading the conditions and adapting to the opposition, key aspects of effective bowling.

Now, with her new technique more refined and her mindset sharper, Bell is ready to make her mark on the international stage once again.