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Lauren Bell says England are “absolutely adamant” they will take part in the T20 World Cup match against India in the wake of last summer’s ‘Mankad’ controversy.
Both teams are unbeaten in the tournament and meet in a Group 2 clash in Gqeberha which is expected to present the toughest task to date in South Africa for Heather Knight’s team.
England won their opener against the West Indies by seven wickets and the following game against Ireland by four wickets, but India have been boosted by the return of star batsman Smriti Mandhana, who became the most expensive player in the Women’s Premier League auction on Saturday.
Saturday, February 18, 12:30 p.m
Bell said: “This is a very big game. India is obviously a big opposition but I think we are going in really confident. moment.
“Our batters and the way we play, we can really take on the Indian attack. As a bowling unit we are growing in confidence.
“We want to be very confident and aggressive and that’s how it will come out in the game because that’s how we want to play cricket.
“I consider myself lucky to be part of a team that is very confident and working hard to win the World Cup. We are in a good position and the mood in the camp is that we have a very good chance. I am lucky to be part of this squad.”
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England’s Heather Knight beat Ireland by four wickets in the second match of the T20 World Cup
The last time the two sides met, India beat England in controversial circumstances to complete an ODI clean sweep last September.
Deepti Sharma opted for ‘Mankad’ Charlie Dean, out the English batter behind the non-striker in stride of her delivery, leading to a chorus of boos from the Lord’s crowd.
The dismissal sparked debate around the world, but seamer Bell said it had not been discussed before Saturday’s game.
“England as a team has put it behind us and hopefully India too. It’s a fresh World Cup and a fresh game so focus,” she said.
“We don’t think about it and we don’t talk about it as a team. There’s no discussion about backing up your crease. It just happened in the summer and it’s been left there.
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Watch highlights of Alice Capsey’s 21-ball fifty against Ireland, the fastest half-century by an England women’s player in T20 internationals
Bell earned around £30k when she was added to the UP Warriorz line-up at the inaugural WPL auction as some exciting sums were splashed on top talent in a seismic shift to the women’s game.
However, not everyone got a cash deal, with some English players unsalvageable.
“It was a strange Monday,” Bell said. “The atmosphere around the camp is different from what we have experienced before, but as a team we talk and when we get there and our calls are handed over to focus only on the game, and I think it’s very good. team to focus on and take the job finished.
“When we got the call back, everybody knew the news and everybody knew what was going on.
“My initial reaction was shock, but it was a bittersweet moment for some of the girls who didn’t get what they wanted and others picked up. It was fun and it was a weird day.”
England face India at Gqeberha on Saturday at 12.30pm. Watch every T20 World Cup match live on Sky Sports.
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