For England’s women’s cricket team, the past few weeks have been a tough pill to swallow. After a disappointing early exit from last month’s T20 World Cup, questions and criticism flew in from all angles. From social media posts to media scrutiny, it became a lesson in the high stakes of reputation and expectations.
Jon Lewis, England’s coach, didn’t shy away from calling it a “sharp learning curve” for his players as they came under intense pressure to explain why things went so wrong. Now, with new series in South Africa and a long-awaited Women’s Ashes series on the horizon, England has been forced to regroup and rethink, vowing to step up on all fronts.
At the heart of the scrutiny was the team’s surprising collapse against the West Indies in the T20 tournament. The match became infamous, not just for the outcome but for a string of errors on the field. Heather Knight, the team captain, was out with an injury, so Nat Sciver-Brunt stepped in as captain. But things quickly spiralled. Six straightforward catches were dropped, as the team seemed to crumble under the pressure, unable to keep their heads cool without their skipper. For a team known for grit and focus, the missteps were glaring, and it wasn’t long before questions about fitness and preparation filled the air.
As the dust settled, the players found themselves facing a different kind of game—the media game. Social media, where players posted snapshots of downtime between games, became the battlefield. Images of boat trips, beach outings, and a few celebratory drinks didn’t go over well with fans or pundits who expected something closer to steely, all-business athletes. “That was a real lesson for them,” Lewis admitted. “Sometimes, even when you’re having a break, how that’s perceived can be a completely different story to what it actually is.”
For many of the players, this was uncharted territory. Women’s cricket has traditionally enjoyed a quieter corner of the sports world, with less public scrutiny. But as the game has grown, so has the attention, and with it, the pressure. “The female game is under a microscope like never before,” Lewis noted. “And unfortunately, that means every action, every social post, and every missed catch gets blown up in ways they might not have expected.”
Lewis has stood firmly behind his squad, defending their work ethic and saying they know how to strike the right balance between relaxation and focus. But the media frenzy has highlighted a growing reality: the demands on female cricketers are changing, fast. They’re now expected to navigate the same high-pressured, fame-fuelled environment their male counterparts face. For a group of players who’ve been dedicated and serious, the unexpected heat has been a harsh reminder of the world they now play in.
One of the most prominent players caught in the media storm was Sciver-Brunt. As England’s vice-captain, she’s long been seen as a natural leader. But the West Indies match put her under a microscope as fans and analysts questioned her readiness to lead in Knight’s absence. Lewis, however, has voiced his full support. “Nat’s a capable leader, no question,” he said. Yet, when pressed on whether Sciver-Brunt might take over from Knight full-time someday, Lewis was cautious. “There’ll come a time when Heather feels she’s done her bit, and when that time comes, we’ll weigh all our options.”
In Lewis’s mind, the real challenge isn’t finding one leader to replace another. It’s about building a team full of leaders, an approach designed to strengthen the squad’s resilience. “We need a core of leaders who can all step up if called upon,” he explained. The message is clear: England’s women need to be ready for anything. That means preparing the “next generation of leaders” who can bring stability and clarity when the going gets tough. So rather than rely on a single captain to steer the ship, Lewis is hoping to create a more robust framework where multiple players have the confidence and skills to take charge.
The next three months will be telling for England. They kick off their South African tour on 24 November with a full slate of T20s, ODIs, and a Test match. After that, it’s onto the Women’s Ashes, which will likely be a defining series for this team. The players, eager to make up for their World Cup performance, are sticking with a familiar squad—Alice Capsey is the only player who won’t return, following a dip in form.
According to Lewis, “This is the team we believe in. Heather’s our captain, and we’ve got faith in her and the squad.” Capsey’s recent form has raised eyebrows, with the young all-rounder managing only one half-century in her last 18 T20 appearances. Lewis suggested a break might do her good, saying, “She’s been struggling for a while now. A bit of distance could be just what she needs to come back stronger.”
Beyond the media attention and player performances, this period is critical for Lewis, too. As head coach, he’s facing his share of scrutiny. Has his approach to team dynamics and preparation worked? Is he doing enough to keep the squad focused and disciplined? His insistence that the players’ performances have been improving has met with mixed reactions. Critics argue that his system might need a shake-up, particularly after England’s inability to make it out of the World Cup’s group stage.
A common line of criticism from fans and pundits alike has focused on what they see as the team’s lax approach to conditioning. Lewis is aware of the complaints but has his own take on the matter. “Our players train hard. They’re diligent, and they know how to put in the work.” It’s a fine line to walk, though. As the public’s expectations of the team grow, the pressure for these athletes to be in top shape—and for the coaches to be ruthless about conditioning—becomes more intense.
There’s also the matter of social media. For many of the players, it’s been a double-edged sword. They use it to connect with fans, but as they learned during the World Cup, it can quickly turn into a vehicle for criticism. Lewis said he wants the players to be aware of the power of perception. “The posts that might seem like harmless fun to them can look very different to fans.” It’s a complicated terrain to navigate, and for many of the younger players, it’s been an eye-opener. Social media offers a platform to showcase their personalities, but now it’s also a spotlight that can amplify any perceived slip-up.
Then there’s the squad’s general morale. To keep spirits high, the team recently brought in a few new faces. Paige Scholfield, a 28-year-old all-rounder who made her debut against Ireland in September, joins the squad as cover. Scholfield’s inclusion is particularly timely, as Dani Gibson is out following knee surgery. Lewis has expressed confidence in Scholfield’s ability to slot right in and provide that extra spark. Scholfield’s hard-hitting style has earned her a reputation as a player who doesn’t hold back, and fans are eager to see what she’ll bring to the mix.
Meanwhile, as England prepares for their upcoming matches, Lewis is determined to keep his players focused and grounded. The team has been through the wringer, from the social media fiasco to the on-field setbacks, and each player is aware of the stakes. The Ashes series is looming, and it’s the type of challenge that could make or break their standing with fans. For Lewis, it’s also a chance to show that his long-term vision is working and that the team, despite a few hiccups, is on the right track.
The takeaway? The game’s not just about what happens on the pitch anymore. For England’s women, it’s become a blend of physical performance, mental resilience, and, increasingly, public relations. As they gear up for South Africa and the Ashes, the pressure is on to bounce back and show the world that they’re more than a team that just struggled through the T20 World Cup. They’re here to stay, and they’re learning what it means to operate under a spotlight they might not have asked for but now must embrace.