Charlie Dean says England will do whatever it takes to 'keep winning' ahead of Women's T20 World Cup
England will take on India in their second ICC Women's T20 World Cup warm-up series from Thursday, as Charlie Dean says her side has been instructed to 'keep winning' by head coach Charlotte Edwards; watch England's first game against India live on Sky Sports
Thursday 11 June 2026 17:35, UK
Charlie Dean says England coach Charlotte Edwards has given her side a simple message to 'keep winning' ahead of their opening game at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup against Sri Lanka on Friday, live on Sky Sports.
England started their T20 summer campaign in brilliant fashion, with their bowlers lifting Edwards' side to a 2-1 series victory over New Zealand, following a dominant seven-wicket victory on May 25.
They backed that up with a 2-1 series win against India earlier in June, in what was a stern test for Edwards' side, who bounced back from losing the first two matches to thump India by five wickets in the final game of the series.
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Australia proved tough opponents in their first ICC Women's T20 World Cup warm-up match, with England's top-order collapsing against the visitors' dangerous bowling attack, to lose by five wickets.
But England bounced back, showing their nerve to defeat India in the final over of their second warm-up match on Wednesday by five runs.
It showcased how Edwards' side is managing pressure, with Alice Capsey and Linsey Smith showing their cool late on in the match to dismiss India batter Richa Ghosh, who was piling on the runs as she attempted to snatch a huge comeback victory from India.
Speaking to Sky Sports, stand-in England captain Charlie Dean said her side are making a point of talking about managing pressure moments ahead of the ICC Women's T20 Cricket World Cup.
"I think it's important for us to talk about it," she said.
"We know that the eyes are on us, and people want us to do well. But we know that if we're on our best day, we can beat anyone, and it's just getting to that 'how' as a team."
Dean added that coach Edwards, who was a part of the team when England last won the Women's T20 World Cup in 2009, wants her side to develop a ruthless edge.
"Lottie's [Edwards'] messaging is really simple: international cricket is about winning," Dean said. "It doesn't matter how you get over the line, but wanting to do that in a convincing way, or scrappy in some cases.
"But when you're on top [it's about] trying to really stay there, T20 cricket has its ebbs and flows, but if you can ride the waves and throw a few counterattacks and try and get on top of the game as early as possible, then that's what we're trying to achieve.
"Lottie [Edwards] is a renowned winner. She knows how to win games of cricket as a player and as a coach [and is] trying to inspire some of those themes for us."
England's bowlers embodied that during their series against T20 series against New Zealand and India.
Smith took six wickets during England's series against New Zealand, while Lauren Bell took seven across their three matches against India.
Dean lauded her team-mates for their execution with the ball and singled out the bowling partnership of Smith and Bell.
"I thought our opening bowlers and bowling attack on the whole have been exceptional," Dean said.
"I guess Linsey with the new ball and Lauren Bell, they're both swinging it around. It was really exciting for us.
She added: "[New Zealand allrounder] Sophie Devine is a hugely powerful player. And we put in a really complete performance with the ball, which is really pleasing."
Dean praised for her leadership
England vice-captain Dean has excelled in the absence of Sciver-Brunt and has received the plaudits of her team-mate Amy Jones.
Sciver-Brunt's return from a calf injury is still uncertain; however, should she be unavailable, Dean is ready to step up once again.
"Everyone's got full confidence in Charlie," Jones said.
"Whenever she's needed to step up and captain, we know she'd do an amazing job."
Juggling the captaincy and continuing to perform is no easy task, but Dean has done so with aplomb.
"I think it's definitely a skill, you know," she said. "Most captains in cricket are probably batters, so it's definitely being able to find the moments to really focus on myself and make sure that I get all my preparation in, so that when I'm on the pitch, I can do my captaincy bits.
"But then when I'm bowling, I'm just thinking about bowling, and I've got a really brilliant leadership team around me who help me out as well.
"Dani Gibson's my vice-captain and Lauren Bell is in there as a bowling lead and Sophia Dunkley as well.
"We work quite closely. They know what I need when I'm bowling, so that I can perform at my best. It was nice to get a bit of reward in the last game and keep things as simple as possible when I'm bowling, that's the way to go."
England's batting logjam
Edwards faces a selection headache with her top order ahead of the T20 World Cup.
Alice Capsey has thrust herself into contention following her outstanding performance in England's victory against New Zealand in Derby, posting a score of 74 not out off 51 deliveries.
But Capsey faces a battle for a spot in the starting XI against Heather Knight, Sophia Dunkley, Scriver-Brunt, when she is fit to return to play, and Danni Wyatt-Hodge, who is expected to return from parental leave during the series against India.
Sky Sports summariser Tash Farrant gave her verdict on who could start in England's batting line-up at the World Cup.
"I think it's on the next couple of games, and I think they're all brilliant players," former England seamer Farrant said.
"Danni Wyatt-Hodge has been brilliant over the last couple of years. Sophia Dunkley has been as well. But Alice Capsey has just thrown a spanner in the works, because I hadn't even thought - and I'm sure they hadn't even thought that she could potentially open - but that first game, she did that really well.
"She's more of a boundary hitter, and I think England need to go towards that power hitting if they want to compete with India, who have got Smriti Mandhana and Richa Ghosh.
"We've got to see what form Danni (Wyatt-Hodge) is in. I think she's probably the one who has her name on the team sheet at the moment, just because of what she's done, and her T20 record speaks for itself.
"It's a really tough decision that I do think is all down to who's in the best form."
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Watch every ball of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup exclusively live on Sky Sports and NOW, starting with England vs Sri Lanka at Edgbaston on Friday, June 12.
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