Former England captain Heather Knight has called for drastic changes to the playing XI of Nat Sciver-Brunt-led side after their second consecutive T20I loss to India. She has advised to the inclusion of bowling all-rounder Charlie Dean for the rest of the five-T20I series.
On July 1, England suffered a 24- run defeat in the second T20I at County Ground, Bristol. England are 2-0 down in the series and there is a possibility of their first bilateral series defeat at home to India.
Knight felt that England showed improvement compared to their performance in the series opener. She backed Dean to effectively challenge India's powerful batting line-up, especially star opener Smriti Mandhana.
“Charlie Dean is one of your best five bowlers and she needs to play. 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. For me she would have started the series as she is an exceptional player," Knight told Sky Sports.
Linsey Smith, who has failed to show an impact in the series, is sidelined due to a hamstring injury, might just be the player to make the pathway for Dean's admission.
“You either go with two seamers and you rest one of the seamers, or Linsey Smith has had a tough couple of games off the back of a good series against the West Indies. 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 noted.
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Knight wants spirits high in dressing room
After two disappointing outings, Knight suggests not to have a defeatist mindset and wants the home side to remain positive and hopeful, beyond any selection changes or issues.
“I think it is important that they don’t go into their shells and that spirits remain high. You can’t feel sorry for yourself and that is the main thing they (team management) will pass on. You can’t feel down, and we are still in this series. Yes, we can improve on this; yes, we can do this better, and they will try and build that confidence back up," Knight said.
The third T20I is scheduled to take place at Kennington Oval, London, on June 4. If England lose the third T20I, this will be their first home series defeat since 2023.