KNIGHT: WE WANT GLORY

ENGLAND’S women cricketers kick off this country’s second major cricket tournament tomorrow, hoping to pick up the glory the men missed out in the first. Their bid to win the ICC Women’s World Cup starts against India. And there is a growing confidence that Heather Knight (above) and her side could land their fourth crown, thanks to home conditions and a familiar face. The return of wicketkeeper batsman Sarah Taylor, after a period out of the game dealing with anxiety, has given the team a major boost. And Knight reckons, even though Australia are favourites, her side are targeting the Lord’s final on July 23.

“We want to get our hands on the trophy,” said Knight. “And we want to be playing in that final at Lord’s.

“Sometimes it works out that, when the men don’t do well, the spotlight is on us a bit more and, when we do well, then we get that added recognition, so it really would be nice to win that trophy at home.

“There is expectation on our shoulders – and we embrace that.”