Leading by example: Skipper Sciver-Brunt has been solid with the bat, scoring 396 runs in ODIs this season.
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A 16-0 Ashes drubbing shook any possible ounce of complacency out of England’s system earlier this year. It led to some significant sackings, with coach Jon Lewis making way for Charlotte Edward and Heather Knight losing her captaincy, with Nat Sciver-Brunt taking her place.
The upcoming Women’s ODI World Cup perhaps comes a bit too soon as the Edwards era looks to get underway truly.
The side has an enviable pedigree on paper. A sound batting unit and an imperious spin attack mean one cannot count them out of the knockouts, regardless of form.
Amy Jones and skipper Sciver-Brunt have been solid with the bat, with 410 and 396 runs respectively in the format this year. Opener Tammy Beaumont’s consecutive centuries against the West Indies were a high point, but England’s soaring confidence was popped mercilessly in a 1-2 loss to India. Sophia Dunkley’s fighting 126-run haul in that series offered some solace.
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Knight’s return to the middle order after a long hamstring-induced layoff is a shot in the arm for the four-time champion. She had a decent outing in their warm-up fixtures against New Zealand in Abu Dhabi this month.
The run-up to the World Cup has been marred by controversy surrounding Kate Cross’s omission and her claims of losing favour with Edwards. England has placed much faith on Lauren Bell, Lauren Filer, and Em Arlott to shoulder the entire pace bowling load.
But it is a tried-and-tested spin quartet led by World No.1 in ODIs Sophie Ecclestone will carry this side’s hopes in the subcontinent’s anticipated slow conditions.
Impact player
Skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt scored two group-stage centuries and a crucial fifty in the final to help England lift the 2017 World Cup. Similar form in 2022 was key to England finishing as runner-up. As the side’s top scorer in this cycle (1381), she can help England mount a serious challenge for the crown.
Edwards is known for her Midas touch in the franchise and domestic circuit, having won two Women’s Premier League titles with Mumbai Indians and the Hundred with Southern Brave, along with five domestic trophies with the Southern Vipers. Can she translate that magic on the international stage? Time will tell.
The squad: Nat Sciver-Brunt (c), Em Arlott, Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Bell, Alice Capsey, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Filer, Sarah Glenn, Amy Jones, Heather Knight, Emma Lamb, Linsey Smith, Danni Wyatt-Hodge.
England’s fixtures: Oct. 3: South Africa (Guwahati); Oct. 7: Bangladesh (Guwahati); Oct. 11: Sri Lanka (Colombo); Oct. 15: Pakistan (Colombo); Oct. 19: India (Indore); Oct. 22: Australia (Indore); Oct. 26: New Zealand (Visakhapatnam).
Published – September 25, 2025 01:21 am IST
