England’s Lauren Bell admitted that Sophie Ecclestone’s off day with the ball in the one-off women’s Test against India in Mumbai added pressure on the bowling unit. Ecclestone returned figures of 1 for 85 off 22 overs, making her the most expensive bowler on day one. Bell, however, acknowledged that Ecclestone is human and cannot perform exceptionally every day. She also emphasized the importance of the bowling unit coming together as a close-knit team to overcome challenges. India posted 410 for 7, the second-highest total in a single day of a women’s Test, with half-centuries from several players. Bell said that the pitch became flatter as the day progressed, making it tough for England. She also mentioned that having left-right batting combinations added to the challenge.
Bell, on her first bilateral tour of India, spoke about her preparations to improve her game, indicating that she benefited from playing in high-pressure situations. She noted her focus on getting stronger, quicker, and more skillful as a cricketer. Reflecting on Harmanpreet’s dismissal, Bell mentioned that none of the players realized she was out until it was confirmed by the replay. This was the second time in 2023 that Harmanpreet was out in this manner.
