Heather Knight was non-committal about overseeing England’s next crack at Australia in the 2025 Women’s Ashes, admitting she is “consciously” focusing on the here and now.
Australia’s stranglehold in the multi-format series continued as they walked away with the main prize earlier this month but Knight’s side spiritedly turned a 6-0 points deficit into an 8-8 stalemate.
Even though England were unable to overcome Australia for the first time since 2013/14, the drawn series and several tense finishes backed up the suggestion the gap between the rivals is narrowing.
Outside of World Cups, England’s next chance against the benchmark in the women’s game is set to be in early 2025 in Australia although Knight, who will be 34 by then, is not thinking that far ahead.
Knight, who was appointed England captain in June 2016, told the PA news agency: “I haven’t really thought about it. It feels like quite a long way away.
“At the moment, I’m just trying to consciously not look too far ahead, I just focus on what is on the immediate future and try and get myself and the team in the best place for that. Who knows?
“Ashes series are amazing to be involved in, I love playing Ashes cricket, so we’ll see.”
The recently-concluded series was held at major venues in England and attracted around 110,000 people across seven matches, pushing the women’s game into the public’s consciousness like never before.
Knight believes the unprecedented success of this summer’s Ashes, which ran concurrently to the men’s series, owes a debt of gratitude to The Hundred, which will start its third edition on Tuesday.
While there is continued scrutiny on the future of the England and Wales Cricket Board’s 100-ball competition, it is widely-regarded for having helped the women’s game bloom, a point reinforced by Knight, who feels parts of The Hundred’s commercial operations were adopted for the Ashes.
Knight, who will juggle playing and captaincy duties for London Spirit with a commentary role on the BBC, said: “I actually think The Hundred has been a big part of what happened in the Ashes this summer.
“It probably changed perceptions at the ECB that if you market it properly then people will come and watch. I think that led to the Ashes this series being marketed how it was.
“It was probably our most visible series ever. Hopefully, both international cricket and The Hundred can feed off each other and keep getting more girls involved.
“I certainly noticed loads more young girls at our games, knowing everything about the game which is pretty awesome to see.”
The Spirit begin their campaign at Lord’s against London rivals Oval Invincibles in a men’s and women’s
double header on Wednesday, with Knight returning after missing last year’s competition through injury.
While the Ashes only wrapped up a fortnight ago, Knight is ready to go after a few days at home with friends and family.
The 32-year-old said: “I was absolutely knackered the first days afterwards, I didn’t really realise how tired I was till everything stopped and the adrenaline ran out. The schedule was pretty full on.
“But I had a good few days to recharge. I feel like I’ve had a bit of a mental refresh. I usually get bored sitting around for too long, so it’s nice to get back. I’m really excited.”
Knight will be able to call upon fast bowler Lauren Filer, who had an eye-catching international debut as she troubled Australia’s batters with her pace in the one-off Test at Trent Bridge.
Knight added: “She’s got something a bit different, she’s the quickest in the country and gets good bounce. She’s still trying to find how she works but she’s a great weapon to have as a captain.”
:: There will be 16 games in The Hundred shown live on BBC TV and iPlayer – matches are on TV every Wednesday and Saturday. Plus, every ball is available live on BBC Radio 5 Live, 5 Sports Extra and Sounds while text commentary is on the BBC Sport website and app.
Dottin among nominees for ICC Women’s Player of the Month for October
West Indies all-rounder Deandra Dottin has been named among the three nominees for the ICC Women’s Player of the Month award for the month of October.
Dottin made her comeback for the national side at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in the UAE, and was a driving force as the islanders reached their first semi-final at the event since 2018.
She was instrumental in victories over Scotland and Bangladesh, but saved her most valuable contributions for the latter stages, where she shone with the bat, ball and in the field in their group stage win over England, before producing a memorable individual display with 33 runs and four wickets in the thrilling semi-final defeat to eventual champions New Zealand.
Dottin will be going up against New Zealand’s Amelia Kerr and South Africa’s Laura Wolvaardt for the award.
The nominees for the Men’s award are New Zealand’s Mitchell Santner, Pakistan’s Noman Ali and South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada.
Kevin Sinclair replaced by Junior Sinclair in Harpy Eagles Super50 squad after internal report to GCB
All-rounder Kevin Sinclair will take no further part in the Guyana Harpy Eagles CG United Super50 Cup campaign in Trinidad and Tobago. The decision made by the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) followed the submission of an internal report by the Harpy Eagles' management team that it was necessary to replace the player.
The GCB, in making the revelation, also announced that Kevin Sinclair will be replaced by Junior Sinclair in the squad at the tournament.
Though the GCB’s statement did not clarify if sub-standard performance is the reason behind Kevin Sinclair’s ejection from the squad, it pointed out that it was a “necessary squad adjustment.”
“Following an internal report from the Guyana Harpy Eagles management, it has been decided that Kevin Sinclair will no longer be participating in this year’s competition,” the statement read.
In the three matches played in the Super50 Cup, Kevin Sinclair tallied 14 runs and snared three wickets.
He made 14 from 16 balls against Windward Volcanoes and took 2-66 from 10 overs in the same match.
However, he did not bat in the rained-out contest against Combined Campuses and Colleges Marooners and was dismissed without a score against Barbados Pride and only took 1-26 from 10 overs in that same match.
The Guyana Harpy Eagles are winless after three matches.
A similar situation arose last year during the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) T20 tournament when organisers announced Kevin left the Guyana Amazon Warriors squad for “personal reasons.”
Kevin Sinclair’s departure opens the door for Junior Sinclair to take up a spot in the Harpy Eagles squad ahead of Tuesday’s contest against Leeward Islands Hurricanes at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy.
Guyana Harpy Eagles Squad: Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Matthew Nandu, Tevin Imlach (captain), Kevlon Anderson, Kemol Savory, Junior Sinclair, Keemo Paul (vice-captain), Ronaldo Aimohamed, Veerasammy Permaul, Isai Thorne, Ashmead Nedd, Nial Smith, Sylus Tyndall, Rampertab Ramnauth.
Salt confirmed as England wicketkeeper despite Buttler return for West Indies T20Is
Phil Salt will be wicketkeeper in England’s upcoming T20I series against West Indies as white-ball captain Jos Buttler looks to improve his captaincy.
Buttler has been ruled out with a calf strain but will return to England's squad for the five-match T20I series that begins on Saturday.
Until now, Salt has kept in just 13 of his 59 England appearances across all formats but has taken up the mantle for the ongoing ODI series against West Indies.
Buttler, on the other hand, has donned the gloves in 106 of his 108 T20Is.
Salt, though, is enjoying his new role.
"It's not something I've done a lot for England recently, but I enjoy keeping. I feel like that's where I offer most to the side," Salt said, as reported by ESPN.
"We've not had a chat about anything going forward. I'm just glad to be doing it at the moment."
While Salt is not guaranteed the gloves after this series, he will find comfort in Buttler's intent to optimise his captaincy by experimenting with a role in the field.
"I was going to give up the gloves and commit to being at mid-off and see how that felt. If it will help me with my captaincy it is something I am open to," Buttler told Sky Sports in September after being ruled out of the T20 series against Australia.
England are tied 1-1 in their ODI series against the West Indies with the decider to be played on Wednesday.
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