England's Women's Cricket: Sciver-Brunt Captaincy & Edwards Coaching Usher in 'Fresh Start,' Says Dean

England vice-captain Charlie Dean believes that the arrival of Natalie Sciver-Brunt as captain and Charlotte Edwards as head coach has injected a renewed sense of energy, focus, and purpose into the national side. As England prepare to face Bangladesh, Dean reflected on how the leadership duo have already made their mark, creating what she described as “a bit of a fresh start” for the group.

“Yeah, I guess having Nat and Lottie feels like a bit of a fresh start for us all,” Dean said. “The players in the team might not have changed much, but the way we’re approaching things has. We’re being really specific about how we go about our ODI cricket — that attention to detail, that hunger to show our grit and determination — that’s something we’re all buying into. And I think that comes from Nat, in the way she goes about her cricket. You watch her bat, and she’s always ready to put her hand up and play those big innings for the team. The way she carries herself filters down through the group.”

Dean, who took over the vice-captaincy ahead of the series, spoke highly of Edwards’ influence since taking charge. Known for her calm presence and tactical acumen, the former England captain has quickly earned the players’ trust. “Lottie’s the kind of coach who reads the game really well,” Dean said. “When she talks things through, it suddenly all makes sense. Cricket can be a complicated game, but she has this ability to simplify things and get us focusing on the right details. Breaking things down, going into specifics — it’s really helped us as a group. It’s a great environment to be part of.”

As vice-captain, Dean sees her role as both supportive and strategic — ensuring that Sciver-Brunt has what she needs to lead effectively while being ready to step up when required. “I guess my job is to be a bit of a sounding board for Nat,” she explained. “I want to make sure she has everything she needs to be clear in her decisions and to be the best version of herself for the team. I’m not someone who’s going to come forward with a dozen ideas at once, but I do like to think about the game deeply and speak up when I see something that might help.”

Dean also praised the leadership depth within the side, especially the returning Heather Knight. “Heather’s been brilliant since coming back from injury,” Dean said. “Having her experience and knowledge to tap into has been really valuable. We’re learning from each other every day, and it genuinely feels like a new chapter for us as a group.”