Tears, drama, and arguments ensued, but it was all worthwhile when Lauren Bell secured her first-ever five-wicket haul in an ODI match, helping England defeat New Zealand 3-0.
Bell discussed in detail for the first time the challenges of changing her bowling action while competing on the international scene, following her statistics of 5 for 37 from nine overs having helped restrict an improved White Ferns batting performance.
Bell remarked, “It was a great day, and it was nice to come out of today with some real success, it’s been a tricky few months.” Amy Jones and Nat Sciver-Brunt’s half-centuries had made sure her work had not gone to waste. “After returning from the New Zealand series, we decided to advance my career, improve as a bowler, and make a few adjustments to my technique.
“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 ability to swing the ball both ways has emerged as a result of his mission to bowl more upright after England’s tour to New Zealand earlier this year.
Hints were evident during Bell’s triumphant white-ball series against Pakistan at the beginning of the English summer, and England captain Heather Knight praised Bell and others for their courage in attempting novel tactics during game situations.
Bell’s innings on Wednesday were her first since she was an Under-15 player, and although she mostly took wickets at the top of the stumps and back of the length, the tall seamer acknowledged that she had received tremendous encouragement from her teammates and the England coaching staff during the innings.
We reasoned that it would be safer if we could make me more upright because I fell off a lot. I should be quicker and I can bowl more since I’m taller, so I have more bounce,” the woman said. “So, the original idea was to give my bowling more pace, bounce, and uprightness, which in turn allowed me to be able to swing it both ways.
One of her biggest supporters has been Matt Mason, the fast bowling coach for England Women.
“I think he would’ve felt like a proud dad today,” Bell stated. Tears, drama, and arguments have all been experienced. He’s worked incredibly hard to bring me here and we work very closely together.