Scrutiny on us can only be good – England’s Dean

Charlie Dean, England’s spinner, believes that the team’s increased scrutiny has improved since a difficult winter.

Dean, 24, was a member of the England squad that West Indies knocked England out of the T20 World Cup last year, and Australia thrashed them 16-0 in the Women’s Ashes.

However, Dean claims that the experiences have made them “tougher” since Nat Sciver-Brunt’s side hammered South Africa in their Women’s World Cup opener on Friday.

“We’ve had challenges, and resilience is the best way to overcome them,” Dean said to BBC Sport.

“We received a little scrutiny on our part, which is good because it means people are watching.”

Dean added that England are “tougher” and “really positive” in their approach, which she believes is assisting the team in gaining their “mojo.”

Under the direction of Sciver-Brunt and coach Charlotte Edwards, England faced criticism for their fitness and attitudes both on and off the field during the Ashes fallout, but the 10-wicket thrashing of the Proteas resembled a victory.

On a Guwahati pitch with plenty of assistance for the spinners, Dean is cautious about getting carried away after such a comprehensive victory, while Linsey Smith led with three wickets.

You always work hard to beat the odds, but you never really believe it will happen, Dean said.

“So to begin in a World Cup like that is fantastic, but we are being very objective with our reflections because there are always things you can do better. Every game, it won’t happen that quickly.

Dean also disclosed that Sciver-Brunt’s vice-captain for the tournament had been chosen.

In the summer series against West Indies and India, England had chosen to use a “leadership group” made up of various senior players instead.

About Edwards asking her to perform the role, Dean responded, “I bit her arm off, really.

I feel like I’m becoming a little more of a leader now that I’ve had a little more summer captaincy experience, and I’ve also been improving my public speaking skills.

I’ll be doing my job, even if I can only donate 10% to Nat 10%.

Bangladesh defeated Pakistan by seven wickets to start their World Cup campaign.

Marufa Akter, a 20-year-old seamer, took two wickets in the first over of the match with her extravagant inswing.