27 March - Wellington - England player Sophia Dunkley post-match press conference

Reporter: What were the conversations like between you and Amy Jones during the partnership?

Sophia: Thank you, I think we were just chatting about trying to take the game as deep as possible and build partnerships and how to sweep out there. Just about building an innings really and see what we can get from the back end and set a good platform.

Reporter: Also, even though right now you don't know who you are going to face in the semifinals. So was there any conversation before the match about who you could potentially face in the semi-final or the conversation was just about just to get through this match and make it to the top four?

Sophia: Yeah, I think we definitely were just focusing on the game today and getting qualified. I think that was the biggest thing on our mind. Obviously, we know who we could be potentially facing. But the biggest thing was just to get the two points and put ourselves in a good position going into next week.

Reporter: I just wanted to ask about the last 8 to 10 months that you have had, there was a phrase that was going around summer of Sophia Dunkley in England and it seems like it is gone to the World Cup as well. The way you have been battling through the tournament.

Sophia: Yeah, I think it's been great to have a few good starts with the bat and contribute, but obviously taking today to make big good contribution and get a score on the board that we could defend. Yeah, I'm loving being with the team and loving being a part of the World Cup.

Reporter: Looking back, how crucial was that one wicket win against New Zealand - the phases that were seen in that dugout after that particular match, to where the team is right now - How important was that particular when in the context of the tournament?

Sophia: Yeah, it was very important win, in our eyes it was definitely a must win game and we needed to win that to put ourselves in a good position. So yeah, it was great that we could hold on our nerves and get over the line in whatever form and it's put us in good stead now to qualify and get through after winning today.

Reporter: Obviously often losing those first three matches as a team. You kind of made it difficult for yourselves. How have you kind of recovered from that as a team? What have the conversations been that have taken you to this point?

Sophia: I think it's just a lot of belief in our change room and a lot of fight. We obviously didn't play our best cricket in the first few games. So we knew that we could come out and put on better performances. So I think yeah, we've had a lot of belief in the group a lot of positivity to get us through and sometimes these games of cricket and that's just how it goes. But yeah, just putting in a great fight from the girls and to get four wins on the balance going into semies I think it puts us in a very strong position.

Reporter: And having said that, the team are a bit divided about where they prefer to play their semifinal and maybe who you prefer to play against, have you've got any thoughts on that personally?

Sophia: Personally, I really love playing at Hagley - just the ground. I think it's an amazing ground and with some great views, but it was nice to be here at Wellington today. So yeah, I think wherever we go, it'll be a good ground to play at and I think it's just really exciting competition so far. So I think whatever semifinals we get will be exciting. Everyone's beating everyone and there's not really any kind of stand outs too much. So yeah, I think it'll just be a great week next week when we get going.

Reporter: Given the position that you found yourself in to now you must feel like anything's possible at this point onwards from now on?

Sophia: Yeah, 100% I think obviously starting with three losses, it does really put you on the backfoot and every game does become a must win game. But I think having those experiences now those games puts us in a really good position and like I said before, I think every team has really beaten everyone. So it's very open and I think there's a lot of possibilities that could happen. So keeps it exciting, I guess but yeah, I think yeah, going into next week we're very positive and got a lot of confidence now.

Reporter: It'd be absolutely delicious, wouldn't it to get your hands on the trophy given everything you've been through?

Sophia: Yeah, definitely. I think it's been a really good achievement that we've been able to qualify now. I think from obviously where we started I think, all the girls are just really proud of ourselves and the fight we showed to get back into it and to go one step further and be amazing just to show what we like - how far we've come as a group and yeah, one game at a time. I think we're going to take it but to win from where we were is definitely a great achievement for sure.

Reporter: The first time England have played Bangladesh in an ODI, first of all, how impressed were you with them as a team? And how important is it for women’s cricket that teams like Bangladesh can impress at global world cup as they have at this tournament?

Sophia: Yeah, I think obviously going into batting we were in a little bit of a tricky position. I think their bowlers bowled us in the start and really put us under pressure and I've watched them throughout this whole competition and they've put teams under the pump, which is great to see. And this shows the standard of women's cricket is going up and up. So yeah, it's very pleasing and it's nice to have a lot of competition throughout the tournament.

Reporter: Looking back at the two three months especially since your arrival in England. I think I asked the same question to Amy Jones that you have been the team that has been away from home for a very long time since almost since January. Do you think this four consecutive wins have put the team in the path to make it to the finals? And how important has been the role of team psychologist in all these months?

Sophia: Yeah, I think for us being away from home it can be really hard and I think everyone deals with it very differently. Some people like being away some people really miss home so I think yeah, for us it is really important talk to our psychologist and we've got one way off which is great. And I know it's really nice that all the girls get on well together as well. So I think we've got a great tight knit group and we can speak really openly with each other which has really helped and yeah, I'm just grateful to have such amazing teammates alongside me to get through the last three months

Reporter: What was the reason behind the decision to bat first today?

Sophia: I don't know the ins and outs of the decision but I think there wasn't going to be any rain around or anything and I think it's been used three times or so this pitch so probably with Soph and Dean in our team it is good to get a spinners on second innings and yeah you hit in that form. So yeah, set a score and put them under pressure.

Reporter: And just a quick one about Katherine Brunt who was off the field for most of the Bangladesh innings -Is she okay, what's up?

Sophia: Yeah, I think she's fine. I'm not exactly sure why she went off but yeah, I'm sure she'll be ready and fine for the next game and I'm not worried about Brunt, I'm sure she will be fine.