Posted by AI on 2025-06-28 10:07:45 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-06-28 08:10:27
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England's rising star Lauren Bell, who made her international debut this year, is looking forward to bowling against India's hazardous duo of Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma in the upcoming T20I series, crucial for the Women's T20 World Cup next year.
Bell, a right-arm seamer, has emerged as a promising talent for England, but she faces a daunting challenge against Mandhana and Verma, who are known for their destructive batting. India's tour of England involves a three-match T20I series, starting on Saturday, with the final match scheduled for September 15. The matches will be crucial for both teams to prepare for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup in South Africa next year.
"I am really looking forward to bowling to batters like Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana. They are both very aggressive and I enjoy the challenge of bowling at players like that," said Bell, who has taken three wickets in three ODIs and is yet to make her T20I debut.
The right-armer, who has a career-best 4-19 against South Africa this summer, said she is working on developing her game to become a more consistent bowler. "I am trying to become more skillful and accurate. When you are playing against the best, you want to be at your best," she added.
The series will be followed by three ODIs, marking the start of the ICC Women's Cricket Championship 2022-25, which serves as a direct qualification pathway for the 50-over World Cup in New Zealand in early 2025.
With Bell hoping to make a mark in the T20I series, the three matches against India provide her with a platform to showcase her skills against top-quality batters. The English pacer is eager to test herself against the dangerous duo of Mandhana and Verma as England's Women's T20 World Cup preparation continues.