Charlie Dean has disclosed that England are employing unconventional methods to simulate the conditions they might encounter at the Women’s T20 World Cup. By pouring water over cricket balls and activating sprinklers to saturate the outfield, they aim to replicate the challenging environment in Dubai, where temperatures can soar close to 40°C. This heat poses a significant challenge, particularly for bowlers who struggle with sweaty hands, a concern that will be front and center during England’s opening match against Bangladesh on Saturday.
While evening games will be cooler, the team is also preparing for the dew factor that is expected to play a role under the lights, especially for spinners like Dean, Sophie Ecclestone, and Sarah Glenn. The toss, as seen in the men’s edition in the United Arab Emirates in 2021, could be pivotal, and England is experimenting with various training techniques to ensure they are fully prepared.
“We had a scenario practice on the outfield where they turned on the sprinklers just before we started,” Dean explained. “In the nets, we’re pouring water on the ball, then drying it with a towel to simulate its original state. Even the sweat on my hands is sufficient.” She added, “It’s been intriguing because this is something I haven’t had to consider much in my career. We don’t often play under lights or in such hot conditions. I’ve found that gripping across the seam and bowling my scrambled seam ball is less likely to slip out. However, for Sophie and Sarah, it’s a bit different; it’s about finding ways to adapt to the conditions.”
Dean, along with Ecclestone and Glenn, forms a formidable spin attack that England head coach Jon Lewis has hailed as the envy of the world this year. Ecclestone has held the top spot among T20 bowlers since February 2020, while Glenn, with an average of 8.47 and an economy rate of 4.4, ranks fourth. Although Dean has slipped out of the top 10, her role in the three-pronged spin attack has been crucial in containing opposition batters during the middle overs in the past 12-18 months.
“We’re probably as close to being the best we’ve ever been,” Dean noted. “But we all want to keep improving. What’s exciting is not just where we are now, but how much better we could become.” She emphasized the strength of their spinners, stating, “You always have someone at the other end who can do the job, and if you don’t have the best over, you know they can bring it back. Bowling in partnerships and maintaining pressure is key, and Sophie and Sarah make that easy with their consistency. The pressure feels off at the other end when they’re bowling so well.”
England’s spinners played a central role in 13 out of 14 wins during the summer, with victories in all eight T20 matches. “We’re really pleased with our philosophy and how we’re playing our cricket,” Dean concluded. “It’s almost perfect timing going into this World Cup after such form.”
