Charlie Dean believes England can beat the best teams in the world, as the stand-in captain explained how her side is dealing with the pressures of trying to win the ICC Women's T20 World Cup on home soil.
The hosts are one of the favourites and out to end a 17-year wait to win the ICC Women's T20 World Cup, as they prepare to face Sri Lanka in their opener on Friday June 12 - which can be streamed - but dangerous opponents stand in their way.
On Monday, England suffered a five-wicket warm-up defeat in Cardiff to one of those threatening opposition in Australia, with England's top-order batters struggling to score runs against Sophie Molineux's team's bowling attack.
Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Amy Jones and the captain, Nat Sciver-Brunt, who was , were all dismissed in five overs for 19 runs.
Alice Capsey impressed again with the bat, making 45 off 36 balls to lift England to a score of 157-6. But Australia chased down that total comfortably inside 18.2 overs, with Ellyse Perry amassing 64 runs off 44 balls.
While there is pressure on Dean's side to perform in front of home fans this summer, the stand-in skipper said England are trying to remove the 'daunting aspects' that may come with trying to win a World Cup at home.
"I think it's important for us to talk about the pressure," Dean told Your Site, ahead of England's final warm-up match against India.
"We know that eyes are on us and people want us to do well. We know that if we're on our best day and we perform, we can beat anyone.
"It's just getting to that as a team, and it's framing it as that exciting opportunity, which it is.
"Steering away from the daunting aspects that it can possibly bring, but also acknowledging we're all human and we're probably all going to feel those pressures.
"You can't be brave without being scared. And can we be open and honest with each other to then help each other through those moments."
While the prospect of being able to open women's cricket to new audiences through the World Cup is exciting, Dean added that England were looking forward to competing against the toughest opponents in the world.
But the stand-in captain admits her side will need to be on top form to defeat teams like Australia and South Africa.
"As cricketers, we're being challenged in every game that we play, which is a really exciting place to be in," Dean said.
"There's no team that couldn't win a certain game. I think that's probably the nature of T20.
"It feels like we're going to have to be on our A-game for all the group stages, and then I'm excited to see how the team goes in those pressure situations.
"We've talked a lot about it, you know we want to perform well when we're under the pump, and when eyes are on us, and I feel like we're getting to a place where we're learning how to do that.
"I'm excited to see, you know, if we can, we can stand up when it really matters, because I really believe that our team."
Nasser Hussain believes England can weather the pressures of the home World Cup by expressing themselves.
He added that when the going gets tough, they can also look to 'tough characters' like Dean, who can lead them through.
"Well, it's a balance of firstly not making it too important when you know it is seriously important," Your Site' Hussain said.
"I'm not speaking as an expert and can only speak about the big games I have played in. But in a World Cup semi-final, Eoin Morgan wasn't standing here or Heather Knight, going: 'This is the most important day of your life. Do you know how important this is? You're going to be inspiring a generation?'
"That's the last thing you want to hear. You want to hear that: 'Treat it like another game of cricket, and go out and enjoy it, and express yourself.'
"So, it's getting that balance right of realising it's a seriously important game, and you're under pressure, and you'll be criticised again if you lose. But also, just trying to go out and express themselves, and also pick on character. That's why I keep mentioning Charlie Dean.
"In the first of England's ODI matches against New Zealand at Durham, England were collapsing. Who pulled them out of the hole again? Charlie Dean."
While Maia Bouchier made 59 off 69 balls and Freya Kemp brought up a score of 30, England's top order batters, Knight, Emma Lamb and Jodi Grewcock all failed to move past 20 runs. Dean arrived late and struck 31 off 46 balls.
"I think she's got real fight and character about her," Hussain said. "You want to go into battle with someone who, under pressure, would deliver, and their stand-in captain does that time in, time in and out.
"So, absolutely pick on character. Tough people in tough situations."
Everyone can stream all 12 group matches involving England, Scotland and Ireland, as well as the semi-finals and final of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup .
All you have to do is download the latest version of the Your Site App onto your phone or tablet and log in.
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, from the opening match on June 12 through to the final on July 5. Hosts England kick off the tournament on opening night with a game versus Sri Lanka at Edgbaston (6.30pm start).
