England secure ODI Series Win over West Indies - who has stood out & who needs to do more?

While England have secured another series win with a game remaining, it has been insightful into Charlotte Edward’s early imprint on this team and how individuals have thrived (or not so much) under the new leadership. So, who has excelled under Edwards and who needs to use the India series as a chance to prove themselves?

Photo Credit: England Cricket

West Indies took an early blow with skipper and relied on all-rounder Hayley Matthews ruled out of the 2nd ODI with a shoulder injury – she was carrying drinks albeit one armed! Fortunately for the crowd at Grace Road, England won the toss and opted to bat, piling on 366 runs, at times looking like they could break their side’s highest total in ODI cricket. It was however, England’s highest total in ODI cricket against the West Indies, beating the record they set on Friday in Derby.

On the topic of breaking records, Amy Jones surpassed her highest score in ODIs, once again beating the tally she set on Friday. It took 12 years for Jones to reach an international century and then two came back-to-back.

Realeanna Grimmond, the 20-year-old debutant for the West Indies proved a positive prospect, scoring 53 and taking two catches. Jannillea Glasgow scored a quick 44, much thanks to Alice Davidson-Richards’ short bowling but once again, the visitors found a way to painstakingly drag out the majority of their innings, playing stubbornly. England should and could have bowled the West Indies out quicker, in this case credit is very due to the tail, especially the 29 runs from the 10th wicket partnership.

The opening partnership

The opening partnership of Amy Jones and Tammy Beaumont has been instrumental to England’s hefty totals against the West Indies. The pair have sometimes had question marks by their names when it comes to selection in recent years, Jones lacking a big score and Beaumont being dropped from the T20s. They’re now non negotiables.

In many ways they’re polar opposites, not just from their different styles of celebrating or lack of, but that makes them ideal at the top of the order. Pressure has clearly been something Jones has struggled with, only making her maiden international century in the game previous. Her measured 122 was a result of being able to open, not coming in at five of six and having to win the game or quickly pile on runs for England.

At the other end is Tammy Beaumont, another experienced batter but someone who has reached the milestone many a time, scoring her 12th ODI century in Leicester, likewise with back-to-back hundreds.

Some big calls with the bat

Moving down the order, Emma Lamb was one of Lottie’s changes to the side for the series. Traditionally opening at county level, Lamb has played at three in the first two matches, scoring two and 55 respectively.

Next in comes Nat Sciver-Brunt who is also non-negotiable. Potentially it could be argued that her form has slightly "dipped" since becoming captain (although this is only the fifth match and she has scored two half centuries) but realistically this is probably just Sciver-Brunt not reaching the ridiculous standards she’s held to!

Two players notably not included were Danni Wyatt-Hodge and Maia Bouchier – two players who have worked closely with Lottie for many years. This decision was based on domestic form, something Lottie values highly. This gave Alice Davidson-Richards an opportunity after an almost two-year selection hiatus, coincidently her last ODI was also at Leicester in September 2023 against Sri Lanka. 7* having only faced five balls in probably not the big chance ADR was hoping for with the top order being so dominant. If retained for the India series, it’s likely the opportunities to get runs in crunch moments will be more fruitful. Bowling wise, it was a bit of a disaster for ADR. Boundary after boundary, ADR was taken apart by Jannillea Glasgow who punished the short ball.

Just above ADR in the XI was Alice Capsey. Now Capsey was not selected in the ODI side for the series. However, with Knight having to withdraw, the 20-year-old was recalled with some more than decent scores in the One Day Cup for Surrey.  Neither scoring quick runs or staying in for England won’t have helped her cause but with Heather Knight out for the whole summer and with no guarantee of retuning in time for the World Cup, Capsey is reading in the wings.

The seamers

Bowling wise, Charlotte Edwards has plenty of options at her disposal. Firstly looking at the seamers, Warwickshire’s Em Arlott was the new pick, making her T20 debut in Canterbury. Having taken eight wickets in four matches, including 2/37 on ODI debut in Derby, Arlott has made a strong case for herself. The India series will be a bigger challenge for Arlott but it’s the ideal opportunity to prove herself against one of the best and make herself undroppable.  

Arlott was on the bench in Leicester making way for Lauren Filer, the seamer with the notable point of difference. Filer has just returned from a knee injury forcing her to miss the first part of the season and so had only featured twice for Durham, her new county side, making her debut just over a week ago. Filer was a late addition to the ODI squad but does provide a slight selection headache. Often, it’s Filer’s pace that is highlighted but she is typically very economic too – batters cannot always take advantage of her pace.

Lauren Bell, who has played under Lottie at the Southern Vipers and Southern Brave, seems to be a definite. Bell has played all the matches so far in the series, also taking eight wickets and crucially she was one of few players who did not completely fall apart during the Ashes. Alongside Bell is Kate Cross who played her 100th England game here in Leicester and took her 100th ODI wicket. The experience Cross bring is integral, especially when playing a younger seam attack.

The spinners

Similarly to how Arlott has put her hand up among the seamers, Linsey Smith has done the same in the spin group. Finally earning an ODI debut, Smith has been nothing short of outstanding. Taking a 5/36 on debut is not a claim many cricketers have and threatens the positions of her fellow spinners.

Realistically, the side are likely to be spin heavy in Indian conditions perhaps playing a three-pronged spin attack (enabling just two seamers). Charlie Dean and Linsey Smith have been the full-time spinners utilised, Alice Capsey also bowling a significant chunk in Leicester (and taking 3-fer). Sarah Glenn, the leggie, hasn’t had a look in and Sophie Ecclestone is sat at home. As was pointed out on the Noughtie Child Podcast website in Richard’s piece from Derby, where does Sophie Ecclestone fit?

Now with county cricket under her belt, it would be a surprise if her name was not in the squad to face India. But, at whose expense? Charlie Dean is part of the ‘leadership group’ and she clearly is higher up the pecking order then Glenn (who was mainly a T20 player anyway). As with many players, the India series will be a great test for Smith to really measure her against some top batters.

After 1000 words of waffle, what are the main conclusions?

1.       England are starting to have genuine competition for places. It’s something England have definitely lacked and it’s not something that can be changed overnight. The standard of county cricket has improved and the effect of over five years of some level of professionalism at a domestic level is being shown in the performances. Players such as Linsey Smith, Em Arlott, Emma Lamb and Alice Davidson-Richards are all prime examples of that.

2.       The India series is where it will count. It’s all well and good performing well against the West Indies. There have been some examples of good bowling and expansive batting. However, Hayley Matthews has acknowledged the gulf and England will face more challenging opposition at the World Cup. (Caveating this by saying obviously nobody will forget that West Indies knocked England out of the T20 World Cup).

3.       This has been the start of a much-needed redemption arc for England. The reputation, character and sentiments around the England team were left battered and bruised after a turbulent Ashes series in January. The mood and attitudes internally and externally do seem different, whether that’s due to personnel, winning games of cricket or a combination of both.

By no means is the conclusion that England are going to win the World Cup and everything is perfect – far from it. But, another series win is a step in the right direction.