England seek consistency in New Zealand ahead of T20 World Cup

Heather Knight's side impressed by drawing Australia at home and winning a T20 series 2-1 in India.
But a disappointing semi-final exit at the T20 World Cup 2023 and a crushing T20 series defeat against Sri Lanka at home raised issues that England and coach Jon Lewis are due to tackle ahead of this fall's T20 World Cup in Bangladesh.
They face New Zealand in five T20s and three one-day internationals, with the first T20 in Dunedin starting at 00:00 GMT on Tuesday.
WPL absences provide opportunity
Four of England's best players will miss the first three T20s, with Nat Sciver-Brunt, Danni Wyatt, Sophie Ecclestone and Alice Capsey granted permission to stay in India for complete the Women's Premier League season, which ended on Sunday with Royal Challengers Bangalore's victory over Delhi Capitals in the final.
All-rounder Sciver-Brunt and world number one white-ball bowler Ecclestone were rested for the Sri Lanka series defeat and Sciver-Brunt missed the one T20 that England lost in India.
England must prove in New Zealand that they are not too dependent on the duo.
There are question marks over the middle order in the absence of Sciver-Brunt, with Maia Bouchier, 25, still looking to consolidate a place and offensive hitter Bess Heath, 22, having only played one international match.
Wicketkeeper Heath could put pressure on incumbent Amy Jones, who has not scored an international half-century since December 2022.
However, there are signs that England's depth is improving, with the emergence of all-rounder Dani Gibson, 22, and fast bowler Lauren Filer, 23, over the past year, while spinners Sarah Glenn, 24, and Charlie Dean, 23, are now considerably more experienced. .
Time to address spin woes
England's batters need to address their weakness against spin, which has been regularly exploited by opposition and will play a big role in Bangladesh.
Since the end of the World Cup World T20 in South Africa in February, England lost 87 wickets at turn and 45 at pace across all formats.
Australian off-spinner Ash Gardner took 23 wickets in the Ashes, Deepti Sharma dismantled the line-up in India and Sri Lanka has filled its team with spinners.
Conditions in New Zealand will not be as favorable to spins as in India. or Bangladesh, but the White Ferns have some talented spinners - notably all-rounder Amelia Kerr, although she and Sophie Devine will miss the first T20 due to their WPL commitments.
Whatever, E...

Sports Mar 19, 2024 0 4 Add to Reading List

England seek consistency in New Zealand ahead of T20 World Cup

New Zealand's Sophie Devine (right) celebrates her winning runs against England at the Commonwealth Games, with England bowler Issy Wong (left) looking on

Heather Knight's side impressed by drawing Australia at home and winning a T20 series 2-1 in India.

But a disappointing semi-final exit at the T20 World Cup 2023 and a crushing T20 series defeat against Sri Lanka at home raised issues that England and coach Jon Lewis are due to tackle ahead of this fall's T20 World Cup in Bangladesh.

They face New Zealand in five T20s and three one-day internationals, with the first T20 in Dunedin starting at 00:00 GMT on Tuesday.

WPL absences provide opportunity

Four of England's best players will miss the first three T20s, with Nat Sciver-Brunt, Danni Wyatt, Sophie Ecclestone and Alice Capsey granted permission to stay in India for complete the Women's Premier League season, which ended on Sunday with Royal Challengers Bangalore's victory over Delhi Capitals in the final.

All-rounder Sciver-Brunt and world number one white-ball bowler Ecclestone were rested for the Sri Lanka series defeat and Sciver-Brunt missed the one T20 that England lost in India.

England must prove in New Zealand that they are not too dependent on the duo.

There are question marks over the middle order in the absence of Sciver-Brunt, with Maia Bouchier, 25, still looking to consolidate a place and offensive hitter Bess Heath, 22, having only played one international match.

Wicketkeeper Heath could put pressure on incumbent Amy Jones, who has not scored an international half-century since December 2022.

However, there are signs that England's depth is improving, with the emergence of all-rounder Dani Gibson, 22, and fast bowler Lauren Filer, 23, over the past year, while spinners Sarah Glenn, 24, and Charlie Dean, 23, are now considerably more experienced. .

Time to address spin woes

England's batters need to address their weakness against spin, which has been regularly exploited by opposition and will play a big role in Bangladesh.

Since the end of the World Cup World T20 in South Africa in February, England lost 87 wickets at turn and 45 at pace across all formats.

Australian off-spinner Ash Gardner took 23 wickets in the Ashes, Deepti Sharma dismantled the line-up in India and Sri Lanka has filled its team with spinners.

Conditions in New Zealand will not be as favorable to spins as in India. or Bangladesh, but the White Ferns have some talented spinners - notably all-rounder Amelia Kerr, although she and Sophie Devine will miss the first T20 due to their WPL commitments.

Whatever, E...