England batter and former captain Heather Knight has called for changes after the team suffered their second straight loss to India in the ongoing T20I series. England went down by 24 runs in the second match at Bristol on Tuesday. They are now at risk of losing a T20I series at home for the first time since 2023, unless they bounce back in the third game at The Oval on Friday, 4 July.
Though England showed improvement in the second match, Knight felt that changes are needed to better balance the team against India’s strong batting line-up. Currently out with a hamstring injury, Knight believes that all-rounder Charlie Dean must be included.
“Charlie Dean is one of your best five bowlers and she needs to play,” Knight told Sky Sports. “She is a brilliant match-up against Smriti Mandhana with a real good strike rate in the past in the Powerplay taking wickets and she is great in the field, so I imagine Charlie Dean will come in.”
“She has looked vulnerable” – Knight on Linsey Smith
Knight suggested that Dean should have been in the squad from the start, calling her “an exceptional player.” She also pointed out that Dean could replace either a seamer or spinner Linsey Smith, who has not taken a wicket in the first two games.
“She has looked vulnerable, she probably hasn’t changed pace as much as conditions warranted and she hasn’t been quite as accurate as she was in the West Indies,” Knight added.
Despite the back-to-back defeats, Knight urged the team to remain positive. “You can’t feel sorry for yourself… Yes we can improve on this, yes we can do this better and they will try and build that confidence back up.”
For latest sports updates: Follow RevSportz