HERE COME THE GIRLS
Tammy Beaumont’s guide to her England World Cup team-mates...
THE women’s Cricket World Cup begins in England tomorrow, with 31 matches over the next four weeks held across five grounds. Each match is 50 overs a side. England have won the competition both times they have hosted it but four years ago in India they could finish only third as arch-rivals Australia took the crown. Here, opening bat Tammy Beaumont introduces the team hoping to lift the trophy on July 23 at Lord’s... LAUREN WINFIELD A style icon who is always trying to bag a bargain with her Ralph Lauren clothing. Also sets trends with her yoga. Exciting opening bat who takes it to the attack, looking to dominate. Coach calls her Audrey because she doesn’t like to get her hair wet in the pool and swims like an old lady.
HEATHER KNIGHT
The original prankster of the team, perhaps surprisingly for the captain. Very calm, collected leader who holds us together with the bat and leads by example. One of the hardest working in the team. Known as Trevor because it rhymes with Heather!
NAT SCIVER
The best dancer, with R&B and hip-hop her specialities, which is demonstrated by her footwork in the field. A bit of an X-factor player for us who bats, bowls and fields and smacks it out of the park like no-one else.
DANNI WYATT
Great to have around. Really good fun and doesn’t take herself too seriously. Some of her outfits are a bit out there, with plenty of neon, and usually a bit tight. Brilliant near the end of the innings in accelerating the strike-rate and excellent in the field. A good girl and a good laugh.
FRAN WILSON
The deep thinker of the squad. When we were in the UAE she said ‘don’t you think it’s amazing we’ll never see the finished product of Abu Dhabi?’ because the building work is always going on! Great against spin and can hit it to different areas with her sweep variations. Takes the most acrobatic catches.
GEORGIA ELWISS
G is one of the smiliest people in the team. Always happy and great with both bat and ball. Her bowling has matured and she’s produced some crucial spells. She’s just got a tiny little sausage dog called Flo who’s really cute.
SARAH TAYLOR
I’m close to Sarah and so happy she is back. An exceptional player who seems to be batting on a different pitch to everyone else. Main thing is that she stays happy and healthy and if she plays for England that’s a bonus. But always lovely to have her in the team! We’d all love to be able to play that flamingo shot over midwicket she has perfected.
JENNY GUNN
Got the longest arms anyone’s ever seen and I tell her she’s got go-go gadget arms in the field. Vastly experienced and so valuable. Hasn’t played too much in the last year but always keen to do anything she can for everyone else and is the model senior player. When she lets her levers go she can hit it a mile.
DANNI HAZELL
Known as Pet because of her North East roots and has that Geordie humour which means she’s quite happy to tell you when you’re getting on her nerves. Worked so hard on fitness and nutrition and just allows herself the odd ‘cheat’ day when she can have a bit of pick and mix. Regimented apart from that and really thriving because of her regime. Also known as Slender Tone. Huge competitor and will do anything to get that win.
KATHERINE BRUNT
Known as Nunny but I don’t know why. The most competitive person and a proper angry, Yorkshire fast bowler. She’s our Darren Gough and we call her Baby Rhino, too, because she can steam in and try to bulldoze the opposition. One person you always want on your team and I hate playing against her. Desperate to get up the order and prove herself an all-rounder.
ANYA SHRUBSOLE
The yin to Katherine’s yang because they are so different but together as an opening bowling partnership they create something special. Anya is calm,
collected, logical and calculated but very effective because of that. I hate facing Anya in the nets and she has really come forward in terms of her leadership since becoming vice- captain. We joke she can bat like Don Bradman.
BETH LANGSTON
Known as Bev or Langers and is one of my favourite people in the squad. Really quiet but can come out with great one-liners and you wouldn’t have her down as a fast bowler because she is almost apologetic after bowling a bouncer at you. Battled through injuries and for her to finally make her debut in the winter made me proud.
ALEX HARTLEY
A proper funny one who often doesn’t realise she’s being funny. Hasn’t got a huge cricket background so often we will meet great former players and she has no idea who they are. We met Alec Stewart last year when we were with Surrey Stars and to his face she was like ‘who are you mate?’ No clue.
LAURA MARSH
Started off as a seamer but has become one of the best off- spinners in the world. Lovely to be there when she got her 100th oneday wicket, particularly as she got her first with seam! Quiet but a fighter and provides great cricketing knowledge. Real team player.
AND ME…..
I still have to pinch myself about the year I’ve had at the top of the order but I’ve just got to keep my feet on the ground now because it won’t ever be easy to replicate what I did. If I can achieve half of what I have done in this World Cup I will be delighted. Just got to keep working hard and improving.