LAUREN BELL: ICC WOMEN’S T20 WORLD CUP PERFECT WAY TO INSPIRE NEXT GENERATION
Media release
Lauren Bell hopes to keep providing inspiration to the next generation as England prepare for their second match of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup against Ireland.
The seamer has been one of the faces of the competition, taking part in a Vogue photo shoot ahead of the tournament while she has also adorned advertising boards at Piccadilly Circus.
A successful stint with Royal Challengers Bangalore, who won this year’s WPL, helped grow Bell’s Instagram following to more than two million and next in her sights are Ireland, who the hosts face in Southampton on Tuesday.
“It's been cool,” she said. “I guess it is all part of the job now. It's something that's rapidly evolved over the last few years.
“It's another way of getting eyeballs on the game and trying to inspire young girls and be those role models that maybe we didn't have so much growing up because there wasn't as much accessibility for it.
“I'm really passionate about having that for younger girls and inspiring them to take on cricket.”
England began their bid for glory on home soil with an 87-run victory over Sri Lanka at Edgbaston on Friday night, inspired by Danni Wyatt-Hodge’s century, while Ireland were beaten by Scotland in their opener.
Another passionate home crowd is expected at the Hampshire Bowl and Bell hopes her side continue to shine in front of their own fans.
Bell added: “It's incredible. I think obviously the crowd at Edgbaston on Friday night just summed it all up really.
“They were so supportive, properly behind us. It gives you that extra boost.
“It gives you extra nerves, but also extra excitement and pushes you. We experienced it in the Ashes in '23 and after Friday night, I'm pretty confident that we'll experience it throughout the next few weeks as well.”
The 25-year-old will again be charged with setting the tone with the ball before returning to play a key role at the death – responsibilities she feels she thrives on.
“I love it,” she said. “I think it brings out the best in me having a really clear role within the team.
“I love taking the first over of the game and trying to set the team up and get us off to a flyer.”
Ireland are looking to bounce back after a disappointing start against Scotland and know what it takes to beat England, having done so for the first time in T20I cricket in September 2024.
Orla Prendergast’s 80 from 51 balls was pivotal on that occasion and she feels Ireland focusing on their own strengths will be key as they seek a repeat.
“It was a pretty good start for them (England),” she said.
“But at the same time, I think you can do all the performance analysis you want, but it's about your own players and your own plans. So yeah, we'll just be regrouping to take them on.
“We need to build partnerships with the bat. Plans with the ball were pretty good (against Scotland) so I don't think there's a huge amount of change there. We just need one or two players to get in and go big.”