England Spinner Sophie Ecclestone Remains Focused on World Cup and Ashes Success
As Sophie Ecclestone’s stranglehold on the world bowling rankings extends into its fifth year, the England Women’s team is making a concerted effort to keep their star bowler motivated. Fortunately, the 25-year-old left-arm spinner appears to have no shortage of drive and ambition.
After Ecclestone ripped through New Zealand’s lineup with a sizzling 5-for-25 spell in the second ODI in Worcester, captain Heather Knight acknowledged the team’s need to deploy “funky fields” to maintain the bowler’s interest. Similarly, head coach Jon Lewis emphasized the importance of ensuring Ecclestone “keeps enjoying her cricket” following her dominant performances against Pakistan earlier in the summer.
“A massive one for me is the people,” Ecclestone said on the ESPNcricinfo Powerplay podcast. “That definitely keeps me interested, that I travel the world with my best mates and you play cricket for your country with your best mates.”
With the T20 World Cup in Bangladesh this October and next year’s Ashes series in Australia firmly in her sights, Ecclestone is determined to help England end their title droughts in both formats. Her team’s lack of success in the Ashes, which Australia have held since 2014, provides additional motivation.
“It’s just win a World Cup and an Ashes,” Ecclestone said. “That World Cup at Lord’s, that was the last World Cup [England] won and we’ve not won an Ashes since because I’ve been a part of them all, so it’d be really nice to do that in the space of six months, win the World Cup in Bangladesh, win the Ashes.”
Ecclestone’s teammate Sarah Glenn and off-spinner Charlie Dean form a formidable spin-bowling trio within the England setup, and the trio’s camaraderie is a source of strength. Ecclestone is quick to deflect praise, emphasizing the collective efforts of the team and the exciting young talents emerging within the squad.
With Ecclestone’s unwavering commitment and the depth of England’s spinning resources, the team’s prospects for success in the upcoming beach cricket, backyard cricket, club cricket, fantasy club cricket, and blind cricket world cup appear promising.
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