T20 World Cup: England show plenty of positives but margin of Australia defeat a concern
But all is not well and the pain of defeat was evident when Edwards spoke post-match.
After a run of five single-figure scores in seven matches this World Cup, it is time for England to find a successor for goalkeeper Amy Jones.
The 33-year-old’s glove performance is rarely in doubt, but he has two centuries in 260 matches and has not been able to top the order with freedom.
The pressure could have come sooner instead, but with a dearth of options, Surrey’s Kira Chathli (26) or Lancashire’s Ellie Threlkeld (27) were next in line without making a compelling case.
The bold move would be to invest in Capsey, who is England’s reserve wicketkeeper here and is highly respected for his skills but has not featured regularly since Under-17 cricket.
This will allow the hugely talented Davina Perrin to take part in the opener alongside 35-year-old Danni Wyatt-Hodge, who is this tournament’s top scorer.
Eighteen-year-old Tilly Corteen-Coleman, who was part of this cast but was not selected, must now also run.
By reaching this final, England have re-established themselves as the second-best team in the world behind Australia. This was once a given, but after three underwhelming World Cups since the previous final in 2022, that was no longer the case.
Australia captain Sophie Molineux said rather worryingly at the press conference that her side had “not reached any ceiling”.
He has been praised and cited by the versatile Ellyse Perry for being a “people person”. lycra-clad aerobics instructor alter-ego, externalMore relaxed than her predecessors Meg Lanning and Alyssa Healy, Molineux could be the perfect captain for this experienced group in the green-and-gold.
If so, that would make the fight ahead for Edwards even more difficult.
He believes his side has regained the support of the English public after the brutal fallout of the Ashes defeat.
It also brought Britain back into the discussion at these world events.
England’s manager has most of the ingredients needed, but his third challenge, catching up and overhauling Australia by next summer, will be the toughest of all.
