England would benefit from a change of captain, said Sky Sports Cricket’s Simon Doull after the Test side were ruthlessly put to the sword by India at Lord’s.
England were thumped by 270 runs in the first women’s Test at the home of cricket, which marked the last game in the stellar international careers of Tammy Beaumont and former captain Heather Knight
The absence of the two retirees leaves a significant gap in the top order – one that will increase the pressure on current captain and No 3 Nat Sciver-Brunt to score.
Doull believes relieving Sciver-Brunt of the responsibility of captaincy would allow her to focus more on her game, with vice-captain Charlie Dean – who deputised effectively during the T20 World Cup – ready to take the reigns.
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The winning moment for India as Sneh Rana bowled out Sophie Ecclestone to win the first Women’s Test Match at Lord’s
“[Replacing the captain] is exactly what I would do,” Doull said, speaking on the Sky Sports Cricket podcast.
“England need Nat Sciver-Brunt as a batter more than they need her as a captain. That would be the way I would look at it.
“It’s not an affront on Nat’s captaincy. It is what is more important to England. And her batting and her runs are at the the highest importance now Heather Knight and Tammy Beaumont’s gone.
Charlie Dean deputised as captain during the T20 World Cup
“What I’ve seen from Charlie Dean in recent times, her cricket nous, captaincy ability and ability to get the best out of herself in situations when she has to or when it’s tough – that to me says captaincy all over.
“Nat has done a terrific job. She’s taken them to a World Cup final again, but she is the best player in England by a stretch. And I would rather see my best player just bat and get me thousands of runs.
“Charlie is ready. And to me, that would be where I would go now.”
Who will replace Beaumont and Knight?
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Tash Farrant and Ebony Rainford-Brent discuss what up-and-coming stars England could turn to after the retirements of Tammy Beaumont and Heather Knight
Despite the defeat to Australia in the T20 World Cup final making it two disappointing defeats at Lord’s in the space of a week, Sky Sports Cricket’s Ebony Rainford-Brent feels there is a plethora of promising domestic players coming through who could replace Knight and Beaumont.
“[Charlotte Edwards] has got to go home and do some serious homework,” she said.
“First, she’s got to rework out what her team looks like for the next generation. It’s one thing where you’re trying to work out for the next tournament and make a decision for the World Cup final around the corner.
“Now Heather’s gone, Tammy’s gone, it’s kind of the end of an era.
“Are they going to back a left-hander in Jodi Grewcock? Is it going to be Emma Lamb? Will they bring in a Davina Perrin? They’ve got to work out which people that they’re going to focus on.
“Then also, can we get their skills up? So they’re not only matching these teams, they’re surpassing them. That’s a lot of work to do.”
Farrant: It’s time for some new faces
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Charlotte Edwards spoke honestly about why India beat England at Lord’s and talked about preparation for the Ashes
Former England seamer Tash Farrant also echoed the importance of having a mentality to go along with the skills needed to compete at international level.
“Charlotte Edwards is probably going to be looking for people who have that gritty mentality,” Farrant said.
“That’s probably where England have been lacking – because they may be slightly beneath Australia in skill wise, but actually it’s more a mental side of it.
“The Hundred coming up is so important. I’ve been in and around the domestic system and I know that there are very good players, but you don’t quite know what you’re going to get from them until you put them against the best players in the world.
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Sky Sports’ pundits chatted with Richa Ghosh about her incredible catch against England and then tried their best to recreate the moment
“I’m really looking forward to The Hundred because there are places up for grabs – not just because of the retirements, but because we haven’t really won anything.
“Can those next crop of players put their hand up in something like The Hundred, get themselves on some training camps in the winter, get themselves in front of Charlotte Edwards?
“It is time to see a few new faces.”
Watch cricket and more top sport live on Sky Sports contract-free with NOW. England men begin a three-match one-day international series at home to India on Tuesday, at Edgbaston, with coverage on Sky Sports Cricket from 10.15am (11am first ball).