Latest news with #EmArlott
The Independent
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Independent
England make dominant start to Charlotte Edwards era — but India will provide true test of their progress
England have been nothing short of dominant against the West Indies with their new-look leadership, now under the guidance of head coach Charlotte Edwards and captain Nat Sciver-Brunt. Their confident whitewash in both the IT20 and ODI series has been the start of a much-needed redemption arc for the side that suffered a humiliating 16-0 loss to Australia in January. New players, a new ethos and an injection of expertise has been the necessary antidote to the reputational damage endured across the winter months. Edwards has made her mark on this England team already. The former England skipper has an ability to reignite careers, make fascinating role changes and most importantly, win games. Warwickshire's Em Arlott, who made her IT20 and ODI debuts in this series, has been one of the success stories from the early stages of Edwards' tenure. The 27-year-old took ten wickets across the five games she featured in and will cause a selection headache for England. Left-arm spinner Linsey Smith has been another positive for England. Making her IT20 debut back in 2018, international opportunities have been scarce since. Smith is one of the best county players, plying her trade at Hampshire where she has now bowled herself into England's T20 and ODI side. Debuting in 50-over cricket at Derby, Smith finished with figures of 5/36 from her 10 overs, a statement performance from the 30-year-old. Among the batters there has also been some tweaking. Tammy Beaumont and Amy Jones have been reinstated as the opening batters in ODI cricket. It's quite indicative of a new era when Jones, twelve years into her England career, scores her maiden international century as she did in Derby. It's even more convincing when a few days later she produces another century, beating the previous total she set. The newfound success of Jones has perhaps overshadowed what her opening partner was doing at the other end, Beaumont also scoring two centuries across the first two ODIs. Stability at the top of the order is something England have craved and while these have not been scores against the best team in the world, England can only play the opposition in front of them. A significant reflection after the Ashes, especially when directly comparing England and Australia, was the lack of competition for places in the England side. Although this is something that cannot change overnight, the remodelled county structure has reaped the rewards of the past five years of domestic professional development. The likes of Arlott, Smith and Alice Davidson-Richards were all selected based on their impressive county performances in the early stages of the One Day Cup. England's lack of competition for places has meant players have at times not been dropped despite below par or mediocre performances. Edwards seems to be changing this. With a greater emphasis on playing county cricket, and vitally performing well, the likes of Maia Bouchier were left out of the squad. England confidently secured victory in all six matches against the West Indies however, a critical eye would have noticed some poor overs from England's bowlers. Jannillea Glasgow and Qiana Joseph in the 2nd and 3rd ODI respectively were gifted boundaries by England's seam attack. While these were not game changing overs, against India they could be. Realistically, the India series, comprising of five IT20s and three ODIs, will be the real litmus test for the side. The ODIs will be crucial preparation for the World Cup taking place in India this Autumn. While the expectation is not for England to lift the trophy, a good run in the tournament will be another crucial step in the redemption of England. Sophie Ecclestone, who was boldly left out of Edward's first squad after an injury issue, could be back for the series against India. Currently managing a quad problem and opting to take a step back from cricket for a short but undisclosed period, the England camp are hopeful that Ecclestone will return in time. India should prove tough opposition for England with their top order batters in particular finding a purple match in form. Winning a tri-series against Sri Lanka and South Africa in May, Smriti Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues both averaged above 50, registering centuries. Opener Pratika Rawal, who has only played a handful of international games, got runs under her belt while off spinner Sneh Rana finished top of the charts with 15 wickets from five games. Pressure has been a point of concern for this England team, particularly under the old regime. At no point this series were the hosts truly tested and put in precarious positions, something they are likely to face against India. In short, India will not make it easy.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Em Arlott overcomes self-doubt to help England crush West Indies
Em Arlott overcame anxiety and self-doubt to impress with the ball and in the field on only her second England appearance, as Charlotte Edwards' selection decision paid dividends. The West Indies were restricted to just 81 for nine from their 20 overs in the second T20 international at Hove, with Arlott taking three wickets and two catches, on her first national call-up since 2022. New captain Nat Sciver-Brunt spearheaded the chase, scoring 55 as England knocked off the required runs with ease to win by nine wickets and seal victory in the series with 10.4 overs to spare. Arlott had been called up twice before, for the Test match against India in 2021 only to be left out of the playing XI and ahead of the 2022 Test against South Africa when she was ruled out while suffering from Covid after-effects, but never took to the field. 'It's probably not a publicly known thing, but I've struggled with anxiety in the past and if I played before I think I would've been a different person and player on the pitch,' she said after being awarded player of the match. 'Whereas now I feel like I've really worked on that away from the game and probably coming into this with a lot more confidence and actually believing that I'm good enough to be here, and actually then I think that kind of helps performing.' Over the last few years, one of the criticisms directed at the England Women's set-up was their perceived lack of player rotation. At the start of the professional era, the seam attack was led by Anya Shrubsole and Katherine Sciver-Brunt, but after their retirements the duo were never properly replaced. A number of players have been called up and struggled for consistency, but 27-year-old Arlott has taken to the task with aplomb in her first two matches. Arlott, who is from Norfolk and came through the pathway system of Central Sparks and Worcestershire, did exactly what head coach Edwards asked of players at the start of the year, taking 14 wickets in domestic cricket to earn a place in the team. When asked what allowed her to overcome anxiety and perform on the international stage, Arlott said: 'I had to reflect a lot on what I could control in my life and I think the last time I came into this environment I don't think I believed I was good enough so I didn't really expect anybody else to believe that I was good enough. 'I've always struggled sort of going into newer teams and not knowing people and having to adjust, because the teams that I've played for at regional [level] have both been based in Birmingham, so I've been quite fortunate that I haven't really gone anywhere. 'I just challenged myself, so in the winter I went to Perth and I didn't know anybody and just made myself have to do something uncomfortable and actually it's been really nice that a lot of people have come up to me being like, 'You were a different person than you were 12 months ago'. 'As a person I think I'm more content with who I am and being who I am and not really caring how people take that rather than before.' With ball in hand at the start of the innings in Hove, Arlott did well in the powerplay and claimed the two most dangerous West Indies wickets, bowling Hayley Matthews – who made a century in the first T20 on Wednesday in Canterbury – for just six. The experienced Stefanie Taylor also came back into the side and was out by Arlott, picking out Charlie Dean in the field for a duck.
Telegraph
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Telegraph
Em Arlott overcomes self-doubt to help England crush West Indies
Em Arlott overcame anxiety and self-doubt to impress with the ball and in the field on only her second England appearance, as Charlotte Edwards' selection decision paid dividends. The West Indies were restricted to just 81 for nine from their 20 overs, with Arlott taking three wickets and two catches, on her first national call-up since 2022. New captain Nat Sciver-Brunt spearheaded the run chase, scoring 55 as England knocked off the required runs with ease to win by nine wickets and seal victory in the T20 series with 10.4 overs to spare. Arlott had been called up twice before, for the Test match against India in 2021 only to be left out of the playing XI and ahead of the 2022 Test against South Africa when she was ruled out while suffering from Covid after-effects, but never took to the field. 'It's probably not a publicly known thing, but I've struggled with anxiety in the past and if I played before I think I would've been a different person and player on the pitch,' she said after being awarded player of the match. 'Whereas now I feel like I've really worked on that away from the game and probably coming into this with a lot more confidence and actually believing that I'm good enough to be here, and actually then I think that kind of helps performing.' Over the last few years, one of the criticisms directed at the England Women's set-up was their perceived lack of player rotation. At the start of the professional era, the seam attack was led by Anya Shrubsole and Katherine Sciver-Brunt, but after their retirements the duo were never properly replaced. A number of players have been called up and struggled for consistency, but 27-year-old Arlott has taken to the task with aplomb in her first two matches. Arlott, who is from Norfolk and came through the pathway system of Central Sparks and Worcestershire, did exactly what Edwards asked of players at the start of the year, taking 14 wickets in domestic cricket to earn a place in the team. When asked what allowed her to overcome anxiety and perform on the international stage, Arlott said: 'I had to reflect a lot on what I could control in my life and I think the last time I came into this environment I don't think I believed I was good enough so I didn't really expect anybody else to believe that I was good enough. 'I've always struggled sort of going into newer teams and not knowing people and having to adjust, because the teams that I've played for at regional [level] have both been based in Birmingham, so I've been quite fortunate that I haven't really gone anywhere. 'I just challenged myself, so in the winter I went to Perth and I didn't know anybody and just made myself have to do something uncomfortable and actually it's been really nice that a lot of people have come up to me being like, 'You were a different person than you were 12 months ago'. 'As a person I think I'm more content with who I am and being who I am and not really caring how people take that rather than before.' With ball in hand at the start of the innings in Hove, Arlott did well in the powerplay and claimed the two most dangerous West Indies wickets, bowling Hayley Matthews – who made a century in the first T20 on Wednesday in Canterbury – for just six. The experienced Stefanie Taylor also came back into the side and was out by Arlott, picking out Charlie Dean in the field for a duck.
The Independent
23-05-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Em Arlott stars as England canter to series victory against West Indies
Em Arlott and Nat Sciver-Brunt starred as England claimed another dominant win to complete a series victory over the West Indies. Having won the first Twenty20 international by eight wickets on Wednesday, England coasted to a nine-wicket victory in less than 10 overs at Hove. The tone was set with the ball by Arlott, who only made her international debut in the first match and took three for 14 from her four overs. After bowling West Indies captain Hayley Matthews for six, Arlott snared Zaida James with the help of a brilliant catch from Sophia Dunkley before sending Stafanie Taylor back for a duck. Arlott also took a catch as England impressed in the field, while Lauren Bell claimed three wickets and Charlie Dean two in the Windies' paltry total of 81 for nine. Danni Wyatt-Hodge was bowled by James off the first ball of England's reply but it was a minor blip as captain Sciver-Brunt led the home side to victory. She smashed an unbeaten 55 off only 30 balls while Dunkley played the supporting role with 24 not out as England reached the required total off only 9.2 overs. Arlott was named player of the match, and she told Sky Sports: "Obviously it's kind of a dream start to my career with England. "It's nice to get back to winning ways with the girls. I thought we were great as a unit today. I think everybody really stood up and did a job. It's a great group of girls, they've been great to welcome me in." Sciver-Brunt was full of praise for Arlott, saying: "The bowlers set up the game beautifully today, made great use of the power play, and, when you've got someone who's two games into their career begging me to bowl four overs straight through, it's a dream." England will try to complete a 3-0 series sweep at Chelmsford on Monday.
The Independent
23-05-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Ruthless England thrash West Indies by nine wickets to clinch T20 series win
Em Arlott and Nat Sciver-Brunt starred as England claimed another dominant win to complete a series victory over the West Indies. Having won the first Twenty20 international by eight wickets on Wednesday, England coasted to a nine-wicket victory in less than 10 overs at Hove. The tone was set with the ball by Arlott, who only made her international debut in the first match and took three for 14 from her four overs. After bowling West Indies captain Hayley Matthews for six, Arlott snared Zaida James with the help of a brilliant catch from Sophia Dunkley before sending Stafanie Taylor back for a duck. Arlott also took a catch as England impressed in the field, while Lauren Bell claimed three wickets and Charlie Dean two in the Windies' paltry total of 81 for nine. Danni Wyatt-Hodge was bowled by James off the first ball of England's reply but it was a minor blip as captain Sciver-Brunt led the home side to victory. She smashed an unbeaten 55 off only 30 balls while Dunkley played the supporting role with 24no as England reached the required total off only 9.2 overs. Arlott was named player of the match, and she told Sky Sports: 'Obviously it's kind of a dream start to my career with England. 'It's nice to get back to winning ways with the girls. I thought we were great as a unit today. I think everybody really stood up and did a job. It's a great group of girls, they've been great to welcome me in.' Sciver-Brunt was full of praise for Arlott, saying: 'The bowlers set up the game beautifully today, made great use of the power play, and, when you've got someone who's two games into their career begging me to bowl four overs straight through, it's a dream.' England will try to complete a 3-0 series sweep at Chelmsford on Monday
