Charlie Dean ‘relishing the opportunity’ as part of England’s Cricket World Cup Squad

What were you doing when you were 21?

Charlie Dean is in New Zealand preparing for the Cricket World Cup as England look to defend their title.

She has been out in the Antipodes since 7^th January as she was part of England’s touring party to Australia, along with follow Vipers Danni Wyatt and Lauren Bell.

Dean, who made her international debut against New Zealand last summer, is one of just two specialist spin bowlers in England’s squad after leg spinner Sarah Glenn opted not to tour.

England have regularly played Thunder left-armer Sophie Ecclestone and Central Sparks’ Glenn in tandem, and the young Viper believes she’s in with a good chance of regular game time.

Speaking to BBC Solent’s Kevan James, she said: “It does feel quite surreal coming in and feeling in a good position to potentially be playing

“It’s not something I would’ve been thinking a year ago but I’m taking each game as it comes and really relishing the opportunity to be out there on a global stage with the best players in the world.”

Prior to the World Cup, England lost The Ashes series against Australia 12-4, gaining two points from the thrilling drawn Test match, and a point for each of the abandoned T20Is.

“The Ashes didn’t go the way in which we wanted it to,” said Dean.

“A couple of things click but not quite everything, and we’re still waiting for that perfect game.”

England have played two warmup games against Bangladesh and South Africa before their title defence on Saturday.

Dean said: “The game against Bangladesh was a good opportunity for us all to test what we’ve been working on for the past couple of weeks and progress form the way we played in Australia.

“I think I bowled alright which I was quite surprised with having not played a game in a while because of quarantine and everything.”

England face Australia in their first match on 5^th March in Hamilton before popping over to South Island to take on the West Indies in Dunedin on Wednesday 9^th March.

Another trip over the Cook Strait sees England take on South Africa at Mount Maunganui on Monday 14^th March followed up by a rematch of the 2017 final against India at the same ground.

England’s final three games are split between both islands as they face hosts New Zealand on Sunday 20^th March, Pakistan on Thursday 24^th, and finally Bangladesh on Sunday 27^th.

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