Dean Embraces 2017 Flashback Ahead of T20 World Cup England vice-captain Charlie Dean has expressed excitement about the prospect of hosting the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, drawing parallels to the historic 2017 tournament that marked a pivotal moment for women’s cricket. The 26-year-old all-rounder, who recently took charge as stand-in skipper during England’s white-ball series against New Zealand, is entering the tournament build-up in strong form after a standout performance in the opening ODI against the White Ferns. Her all-round contribution earned her Player of the Match honors in a thrilling contest that concluded with the final wicket. Dean, who will lead England’s squad for the home T20 World Cup in 2026, believes the event has the potential to become another landmark moment for the sport. She highlighted the significance of hosting such a high-profile tournament, noting that it does not occur frequently. “A home World Cup doesn’t come around very often,” she said. “We saw the impact it had on women’s cricket in India, and winning a home 50-over World Cup is huge. It feels like it could be a huge, perfect moment should we get to that final and get across the line.” Reflecting on her personal journey, Dean credited the 2017 Women’s World Cup victory as a catalyst for her own aspirations. “Being at the stands during the 2017 Home World Cup win was huge for my cricket,” she recalled. “Seeing the girls perform in front of a massive crowd and win a huge moment sparked something in me. It felt like a full circle moment to be part of a home World Cup now.” She emphasized how the 2017 tournament, which she watched as a 16-year-old, inspired her to pursue her dreams in cricket. “I don’t think I could have imagined something like this back then,” she said.#sophie_ecclestone #icc_womens_t20_world_cup #charlie_dean #nat_sciver_brunt #england_squad
Multiple new No.1s crowned in latest women's rankings update Alana King and Smriti Mandhana have secured the top positions in the Women’s ODI Bowling and Batting Rankings following their performances in a series of matches against India. King, an Australian bowler, ended Sophie Ecclestone’s nearly four-year reign at the top of the bowling rankings with a rating of 775, while Mandhana, an Indian batter, surpassed Suzie Bates to claim the batting title with a rating of 790. Their achievements came after a week of action that included three ODIs, where both players delivered standout performances. King’s rise to No.1 was fueled by her exceptional bowling in the third ODI, where she took four wickets for 33 runs in 10 overs, contributing to Australia’s 185-run victory over South Africa. Her overall figures of seven wickets at an average of 16.71 further solidified her position, marking her first No.1 ranking and a career-high rating. King is now joined by four other Australian bowlers in the top eight of the rankings: Ash Gardner (third), Annabel Sutherland (fifth), Megan Schutt (seventh), and Kim Garth (eighth). Mandhana’s ascent to the top of the batting rankings was driven by her consistent scoring, including half-centuries of 58 and 31 during the series. Her performance pushed her past South Africa’s Dane van Niekerk, who will have the chance to reclaim the spot when the Proteas face New Zealand in March and April. Mandhana’s success highlights her growing influence in the format, as she continues to dominate with the bat. Beyond the top two, several other players saw their rankings improve. Beth Mooney, Ash Gardner, and Alyssa Healy played pivotal roles in Australia’s series victory, with Healy concluding her ODI career with a century in her final match.#india #alana_king #smriti_mandhana #sophie_ecclestone #suzie_bates
