Cricket

Northern Superchargers and Southern Brave played out a thrilling tie in the Hundred, with Kate Cross scrambling two runs off the final ball to level the scores.On a slow and used wicket, boundary-hitting was at a premium, and Superchargers' chase of 100 was a tense affair. Southern Brave, led by captain Georgia Adams, used the conditions to their advantage, keeping the stumps in play and applying constant pressure.Lauren Bell was the standout performer for Brave, taking 4 for 11 with her accurate seam bowling. Phoebe Litchfield and Alice Davidson-Richards looked to have the chase under control for Superchargers, but both were dismissed at crucial moments.Only Maia Bouchier and Chloe Tryon passed 20 for Southern Brave, but Rhianna Southby and Bell played important roles with the bat, guiding their team to a three-figure total.Superchargers' chase was always behind the required rate, and they needed 10 runs from the final five balls. Cross hit a boundary off the fourth ball, and then scrambled two runs off the final delivery to secure the tie.Both sides will feel they missed the opportunity to get their first win of the Hundred, but the tie was a fair reflection of a closely contested match.

England's upcoming T20I series against New Zealand will serve as a crucial test for the team as they prepare for the T20 World Cup in Bangladesh. Captain Heather Knight emphasized that while conditions in England may differ from those in Bangladesh, the team will strive to simulate potential scenarios and combinations.Despite the challenging weather conditions in Southampton, Knight stated that England will focus on playing teams and implementing strategies that they anticipate encountering in Bangladesh. This approach aims to prepare the team for the specific conditions and challenges they may face during the World Cup.England's recent ODI series sweep against New Zealand has instilled confidence in the team, allowing them to maintain an experimental mindset regardless of the pitch or opposition. The team's dominant performances, including a comfortable chase of 212 in Bristol, have showcased their depth and adaptability.Knight revealed that England is nearing the finalization of their squad for the T20 World Cup, with only a few spots remaining to be determined. The selection process has been challenging due to the impressive performances of the players, highlighting the intense competition within the team.Freya Kemp's return as an allrounder and Sophia Dunkley's inclusion in the squad after a disappointing tour of New Zealand earlier this year add depth to England's options. Seamer Lauren Bell's breakthrough performance in Bristol, where she claimed her maiden five-wicket haul, has boosted her confidence and solidified her position in the team.Knight praised Bell's resilience and determination in overcoming a difficult period where she was working on modifying her bowling technique. She believes that Bell's experience will be invaluable for the team going forward.

Lauren Bell's maiden international five-wicket haul sealed a 3-0 sweep for England in their ODI series against New Zealand. The 23-year-old seamer has been working on remodeling her bowling action, which has led to an ability to swing the ball both ways.Bell's journey to this breakthrough has been challenging. After returning from England's tour of New Zealand earlier this year, she was tasked with bowling more upright. This change has been tricky to implement while playing on the international stage, but Bell has persevered with the support of her team-mates and coaching staff."It's been a tricky few months, so yeah, it was nice to come out of today with some real success, it was a great day," Bell said. "I got back from the series in New Zealand and we just thought to push my career on, make me a better bowler, we'd changed a few things with my action.""But obviously when you bowl a certain way for however long, it has been tricky. I don't really have a training block, I've just been playing, but it's definitely for the best in the long term and I guess today shows that it is going to push me forward. But yeah, it is obviously hard doing it on an international stage."Bell's wickets on Wednesday came from a back-of-a-length, top-of-the-stumps approach. However, she believes that her new action will allow her to be more versatile in the future."I fell away a lot, and so we thought if we could get me more upright, it'd be safer. It means I can bowl more and it means I should be quicker and from being taller I get more bounce," she explained. "So it came from that point of view initially, to add pace to my bowling, pace and bounce, and leading me to be more upright allowed me to then be able to swing it both ways."Bell's bowling coach, Matt Mason, has been a key figure in her development. "I think he would've felt like a proud dad today," Bell said. "There's been tears, there's been drama, there's been disagreements. We work really closely and he's put in a lot of time to get me here."Bell is confident that her new action will help her become a more effective bowler in the long run. "I've gone a long time not really having to think much about how I bowl. Now, my change in action, I very much have to concentrate on it, so I've learned that I need to focus and I've got a couple of cues that help me with that. I reset every ball and I focus in on my cues. It is a bit of a routine that I've picked up in the last couple of months that I think will take me a long way, especially in pressure situations."

Lauren Bell, England's pace spearhead, has vowed to maintain an aggressive approach with the ball, aiming to "attack the stumps" as a default strategy. This approach will be crucial for England's success in the remaining T20I series against Pakistan and in the upcoming T20 World Cup in Bangladesh, where slow, low wickets are expected.Bell's determination stems from a rusty first spell in the opening T20I against Pakistan, where she conceded 12 runs in her first over. However, she bounced back strongly, dismissing three batters and helping England secure a 53-run victory.Despite acknowledging flaws in England's performance, Bell emphasized that their execution, rather than intent, was the issue. She believes that the team's depth and character allowed them to overcome a shaky start and ultimately prevail.With the T20 World Cup on the horizon, Bell is adamant that England will not abandon their aggressive approach, which has been instilled by head coach Jon Lewis. She recognizes that failures may occur, but the team remains committed to their attacking style of play.Under Lewis' guidance, Bell has emerged as England's attack leader, a role she embraced during last summer's Ashes. Despite a challenging moment in the series, she has gained confidence from the support of her captain and coach.Bell's decision to prioritize international cricket over a lucrative WPL deal reflects her commitment to leading England's bowling attack. While acknowledging the potential benefits of playing on subcontinental pitches in the WPL, she believes that her focus must remain on international success.As England prepares for the Bangladesh World Cup, Bell recognizes the importance of adapting to the slow, low conditions. She emphasizes the need to keep the stumps in play and bowl with pace-off.Bell's determination to attack the stumps and maintain consistency will be key for England's success in the remaining Pakistan series and the upcoming T20 World Cup. Her aggressive approach and leadership will be crucial as the team aims to overcome the challenges of subcontinental wickets and emerge victorious.