Sophie Ecclestone: Keeping the World's Top Bowler Motivated
Sophie Ecclestone, the world's top-ranked bowler in both T20Is and ODIs, has been a dominant force in women's cricket for nearly five years. However, keeping her motivated remains a priority for the England Women's team.Ecclestone's exceptional left-arm spin has terrorized opposition batters, with her recent 5-wicket haul against New Zealand highlighting her prowess. England captain Heather Knight acknowledges the need to keep Ecclestone engaged, stating, "She loves taking wickets and we have to do some funky fields to keep her interested."Head coach Jon Lewis emphasizes the importance of ensuring Ecclestone's enjoyment of the game. "She has an incredible talent, and our job is to make sure she keeps enjoying her cricket," he said.Ecclestone attributes her motivation to the camaraderie within the team and the thrill of competition. "That definitely keeps me interested, that I travel the world with my best mates and you play cricket for your country with your best mates," she said. "And the competition, I love the competition. Ashes series, World Cup finals, super overs in a World Cup, that's what I live for, that's what I train for."Ecclestone's journey began in 2016, and she has since become England's leading wicket-taker in T20Is. She also has an impressive ODI record, with 108 wickets at an exceptional economy rate of 3.66.Despite missing out on England's 2017 World Cup triumph, Ecclestone has played a crucial role in the team's subsequent success. She is eager to add a World Cup and Ashes victory to her resume, with the T20 World Cup in Bangladesh and the Ashes series in Australia being key motivators."It's just win a World Cup and an Ashes," Ecclestone said. "That World Cup at Lord's, that was the last World Cup [England] won and we've not won an Ashes since because I've been a part of them all, so it'd be really nice to do that in the space of six months, win the World Cup in Bangladesh, win the Ashes. It would be an amazing few months for us."Ecclestone's humility and team-oriented mindset are evident in her praise for her fellow spinners, Sarah Glenn and Charlie Dean. "It's a nice little trio, me, Glenny, and Deano, and we all bring something different whether it's on the pitch or off the pitch," she said.Ecclestone's infectious enthusiasm and unwavering commitment to her team make her an invaluable asset. As she continues to dominate the world of bowling, her teammates and fans alike can expect more exceptional performances and a continued pursuit of cricketing glory.
