Hazel: England are just itching to get going

Danni Hazell says England women are raring to go on the eve of their World Twenty20 opener with Pakistan in Galle.

"We are just itching to get going now," Hazell told ecb.co.uk. "We are all really excited about getting this World Cup under way."

England will be expecting to brush aside Pakistan tomorrow but Hazell insists they will not shift their mood from confident to complacent.

England beat Pakistan in two Twenty20s earlier this month and Hazell is optimistic of completing a trio of wins over the same opposition to get their tournament off to a perfect start.

Off-spinner Danni Hazell took 2-5 from three miserly overs during England's warm-up victory over South Africa 

"We played Pakistan at Loughborough recently and they are an up and coming side," said Hazell. "They have some good players and are improving - we won't be underestimating them.

"They have some good batters who hit a few sixes when we played them. We'll have to keep an eye on them."

England looked in fine form when they won their sole warm-up game against South Africa by a considerable 121-run margin.

Having posted a formidable 180 for four, in which Charlotte Edwards made 54, England dismissed their opponents for just 59 with Hazell picking up 2-5 from three miserly overs.

"It was a really good performance," she said. "There was some good run-scoring and the wickets were shared out when we bowled. It also helped us get used to the conditions over here.

"I'm feeling confident with my bowling. It's coming along nicely. Hopefully I can get some wickets early in the tournament and settle down."

England have lost just one Twenty20 since January 18 2011 and are rightly considered odds-on favourites to emulate the success of 2009 when Edwards lifted the trophy at Lord's.

However, Hazell says the burden of expectation does not weigh heavily on England's shoulders.

"We just need to concentrate on our game and if we do then we can come back with the trophy," she said.
"Everyone is really confident of doing well. We just want to get the competition under way now."

News: Women's T20 World Cup Fixtures

Wed Sep 26 04:00 GMT | 09:30 local 05:00 BST	1st Match, Group B - Sri Lanka Women v South Africa Women Galle International Stadium	N/A
Wed Sep 26 08:00 GMT | 13:30 local 09:00 BST	2nd Match, Group B - New Zealand Women v West Indies Women Galle International Stadium	N/A
Thu Sep 27 04:00 GMT | 09:30 local 05:00 BST	3rd Match, Group A - England Women v Pakistan Women Galle International Stadium	N/A
Thu Sep 27 08:00 GMT | 13:30 local 09:00 BST	4th Match, Group A - Australia Women v India Women Galle International Stadium	N/A
Fri Sep 28 04:00 GMT | 09:30 local 05:00 BST	5th Match, Group B - New Zealand Women v South Africa Women Galle International Stadium	N/A
Fri Sep 28 08:00 GMT | 13:30 local 09:00 BST	6th Match, Group B - Sri Lanka Women v West Indies Women Galle International Stadium	N/A
Sat Sep 29 04:00 GMT | 09:30 local 05:00 BST	7th Match, Group A - Australia Women v Pakistan Women Galle International Stadium	N/A
Sat Sep 29 08:00 GMT | 13:30 local 09:00 BST	8th Match, Group A - England Women v India Women Galle International Stadium	N/A
Sun Sep 30 04:00 GMT | 09:30 local 05:00 BST	9th Match, Group B - South Africa Women v West Indies Women Galle International Stadium	N/A
Sun Sep 30 08:00 GMT | 13:30 local 09:00 BST	10th Match, Group B - Sri Lanka Women v New Zealand Women Galle International Stadium	N/A
Mon Oct 1 04:00 GMT | 09:30 local 05:00 BST	11th Match, Group A - India Women v Pakistan Women Galle International Stadium	N/A
Mon Oct 1 08:00 GMT | 13:30 local 09:00 BST	12th Match, Group A - Australia Women v England Women Galle International Stadium	N/A
Thu Oct 4 09:00 GMT | 14:30 local 10:00 BST	1st Semi-Final - TBC v TBC (A1 v B2) R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo	N/A
Fri Oct 5 09:00 GMT | 14:30 local 10:00 BST	2nd Semi-Final - TBC v TBC (A2 v B1) R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo	N/A
Sun Oct 7 09:00 GMT | 14:30 local 10:00 BST	Final - TBC v TBC R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo	N/A

Bakewell becomes a hall of famer

Former England women’s star Enid Bakewell has been inducted into the International Cricket Council Hall of Fame.

Bakewell made her Test debut in 1968 and started in the best possible fashion with a century against Australia at Adelaide.

She went on to strike 1,078 Test runs at an average of 59.88 while also claiming 50 wickets with her useful left-arm spin at an average of just 16.13.

Bakewell’s career highlight came in her last appearance; she became the first English player, male or female, to score a century and take 10 wickets in a Test.

That feat has only been managed by herself and Australia’s Betty Wilson in the women’s game and Sir Ian Botham, Alan Davidson and Imran Khan in the men’s.

She said: “I do feel very honoured. To be named after, Rachael Heyhoe Flint is a huge moment for me. Rachael was a huge inspiration for me. My induction into this elite panel is also a big statement for women's cricket.”

Bakewell joins the illustrious group alongside West Indies legend Brian Lara, who has struck the highest individual scores in Test and first-class cricket.

He added: “I think it’s a very humbling experience for me. First of all, to be considered and then to be selected is a great moment.

“To be named alongside some of the great cricketers not just from West Indies but from all around the world like Sir Garfield Sobers and Sir Vivian Richards is a very special feeling.”

England's women praised by ECB and ICC

ECB Chief Executive David Collier today praised the England women’s team after their successes were recognised at the LG ICC Awards ceremony in Colombo.

England wicketkeeper Sarah Taylor led the way by being named the ICC Women’s T20I Cricketer of the Year – and also being shortlisted for the one-day equivalent alongside team-mate Lydia Greenway.

Collier said: "This has been another excellent year for the England women’s team with a 20-match unbeaten run behind them and I am delighted that Sarah Taylor’s outstanding individual contribution has been recognised by the judging panel."

Head of England Women’s Cricket, Clare Connor, said: "Sarah Taylor’s wonderful run of form with the bat in both limited-overs formats has been deservedly recognised.

"The consistency displayed by both Sarah and Lydia over the past 12 months has been influential in a highly successful year from an England women’s team perspective.

"On behalf of all at ECB, we extend congratulations to them both."

Taylor said: "I’m delighted to receive the ICC Women’s T20I Cricket of the Year award; it’s a real honour.

"It’s been a great 12 months for the team and it’s fantastic to have contributed to our success.

"I’m grateful for all the support from Mark Lane, Carl Crowe and my team-mates. It’s just a great feeling to be part of a successful team.

"I’m really enjoying my cricket at the moment."