Dunkley did not play a big role in that campaign as planned, and that took its toll. After resting for the latter part of the home international summer and finding late form in the WBBL, Dunkley is back, ready to pull on her England shirt. “On the whole, I’m quite disappointed with how I performed over the summer,” Dunkley told ESPNcricinfo ahead of England’s T20I and Test tour of India. “The Ashes was an amazing series, pretty intense, and every game came down to the wire but I was definitely disappointed with how I performed. I wanted to contribute to the team and help a team effort, and it felt like it wasn’t quite there for me.” After a discussion with the coaching staff and the head coach, Dunkley rested and missed the first two matches of the Women’s Hundred and, later, both white-ball series against Sri Lanka. She is heading into the India series feeling pretty refreshed and excited. “You get DMs and comments, and it’s just part of the game. For me, it was just the intensity of the summer – it was a massive series, it was amazing. We got a lot of support, and it was pretty emotional at times to feel the country as behind us as it was. Dunkley hopes that technical changes she’s been making will bring dividends. Her grip, notable for being unconventionally split, has opened up more, offering her bat a clearer back path and, in turn, smoother stroke-making. She has made some technical changes which she hopes will bring dividends. Her grip, notable for being unconventionally split, has opened up more, offering her bat a clearer back path and, in turn, smoother stroke-making. Dunkley will not be returning to India next year for the second edition of the WPL, having been released by Gujarat Giants, she opted not to enter the auction. “To work on my game and to be in the best position to play for England is my priority really. It wasn’t an easy decision at all. It took a lot of time and a lot of discussions,” said Dunkley. The England Women’s head coach organized the India training camp, as the team’s weaknesses facing spin bowling were exposed during the Sri Lanka series. With a T20I World Cup in Bangladesh next year followed by the ODI version in India in 2025, it is an area he wants to improve and this bilateral series will be the first test of any inroads made.
