Momentum

As excitement grows ahead of the Women’s T20 World Cup, the Momentum series has been launched by the PCA, shining a spotlight on the England women’s team.  

The player-led video series features four of England’s squad who are looking to emulate the success of the 2017 side who lifted a World Cup on home soil.

After an impressive IT20 series victory over India on Tuesday evening, Heather Knight, the victorious captain from nine years ago, is joined by teammates Lauren Bell, Lauren Filer and Dani Gibson as they discuss important topics across four entertaining episodes.

Following a long winter of preparation, Momentum was filmed during the New Zealand series, as the whole sport works towards the start of the T20 World Cup on Friday 12 June.

The four players will be hoping that England feature in the final at Lord’s on Sunday 5 July with the first episode ‘Home World Cup’ available to watch below:

In the opening episode of the series, all-rounder Dani Gibson, now capped 31 times by her country, hosts the conversation around the players’ excitement going in to a home T20 World Cup.

Fondly reminiscing over the last home tournament, Knight who recently became the most capped England women’s player of all time – surpassing head coach Charlotte Edwards, reflects on her experience nine years ago.

“2017 was probably the best six weeks of my career. I remember the momentum built throughout the tournament and to win it at Lord’s was amazing. I’d love to win another World Cup at home but I do feel old when we talk about it now – I think Tilly (Corteen-Coleman) was only nine,” said the 35-year-old.

Opening bowler Bell was at Lord’s for the final in 2017 and it clearly had a big impact on the 25-year-old who now boasts 80 England caps.

“That was the moment I think I realised this actually looks quite fun – it was a full stadium, you girls won it. I don’t think I had an interest before that. I think you inspired me, Heather.”

Gibson recalled a training camp at Loughborough and the victorious team showing up on the team bus.

“I watched it at home with mum and dad but I remember being at Loughborough and your bus turned up and I was like ‘Oh my God’ they just won the World Cup,” said the 25-year-old.

With 47 international wickets to her name, fast bowler Filer began to think about cricket as a career following the success of Knight’s team in 2017.

“For the final I was at home watching with my family. I remember running round the living room, it was very exciting. I didn’t think I would play for England at that point and the professional game wasn’t really a thing yet. I remember it being a turning point and it made me look at a potential career.”

Having been inspired by the England women’s rugby and football teams, the cricketers are hoping to follow in their successes from last year in winning the Euros and the Rugby World Cup.

“The affect both of those squads have had on women’s sport has been immense and if we can do that for cricket that would be amazing – the stadiums are now full for them, which wouldn’t have happened five years ago,” said 25-year-old PCA Rep, Filer.

“I went to the Euros and that was really cool seeing the amount of girls that were inspired by the win,” added former PCA Vice Chair, Knight.

“A good thing about a home World Cup is you get to play at a lot of different venues and you get to take the event around the country. We’ll get really good support and it will be really fun to play in,” Knight continued.

“I’ve grown up playing at the Utilita Bowl and hopefully I get to play a home World Cup game there, which is really cool,” said Bell.

Episode two will be released next Wednesday 10 June as the quartet delve into the topic of social media and the potential positives and negatives.

Episode three looks at the financial growth of the women’s game over the last few years and is released a week later on 17 June.

The final episode of the series explores the topic of togetherness and inclusion in Pride Month and will be available to watch on 24 June.

Look out for all episodes on the PCA’s social media channels, for full episodes see the PCA YouTube channel.