Wednesday 30 January 2013 13:16, UK
A colossal year for women's cricket begins on Thursday when the Women's World Cup gets underway, live on Sky Sports.
Can you give us an example? LG: Well, we've been doing a lot of work over mini-hurdles, working on going forward and coming back and making sure our balance is good because footwork against spin is very important. Initially we do it without a ball - so you hop over the hurdle, hold your weight there and then play a shot and then hop back to get the weight transfer right and making sure you're well balanced. AB: It's about having the confidence to know your game inside-out, what your strengths are. I've got some shots all around the wicket now which I'm really confident with, and I'm hoping that the new fielding regulations will make manipulating the field easier. Do you find it tougher batting in India than anywhere else? AB: We could find a slow turner but, as we've seen from the men's tour, we could play on one that has decent bounce and a fast outfield. I think we've just got to adapt to the conditions as soon as possible and if we do that we'll just play accordingly. Would you relish the chance to open the bowling, Holly? HC: I've never done that for England before, so if Lottie (captain Charlotte Edwards) threw me the ball then I'd be up for the challenge. But we've got some world-class opening bowlers in Kathryn Brunt, Anya Shrubsole and Georgia Elwiss as well, who have done fantastically recently against India, so it would be a tough call to bowl ahead of them even though spin has been quite prevalent in the women's game all round the world, no matter what the conditions. Do you prefer 50-over cricket to 20-over cricket? HC: Fifty-over cricket is naturally more about crafting a spell and making sure that you are bowling in the areas that you want to and being more attacking. AB: I think that's where the women's game has developed a lot alongside the men's. As much as anything, it's about how you approach an innings - if you are positive and go out there you've still got plenty of time even in 20-over cricket and sometimes it's a case of pulling yourself back and thinking 'I have got the time' and I'm going to make sure that I execute the things that I've practiced. The worst thing to do is get caught up in trying to be something you're not - for example, trying to play like Sarah Taylor, who bats in an exceptional way compared to most people. You've got to remember your place in the team and what your role is and if you do that it doesn't matter if it's 20-over or 50-over cricket; if you can be part of a winning team it is something pretty special. Sounds like good advice! What's the best piece you've received during your career so far? AB: Never say 'never'. HC: One person used to say to me 'play the ball, not the player'. That stuck with me so no matter who is bowling at me - an Under-11 girl or the fastest bowler in the world - you've still got to play the ball. LG: I've probably received quite a lot of advice! One thing I've always been mindful of is never think you're as good as you can be. Always try to keep improving. In cricket even the best players can get better. Holly, Lydia and Arran will be back on skysports.com on Wednesday in part two of our interview when they'll be discussing the changing profile of the women's game, how young girls can get involved and their personal career highlights to date... Coverage of the ICC Women's World Cup 2013 - part of the year round schedule of live women's sport on Sky Sports - begins this Thursday when hosts India take on the West Indies, live on Sky Sports 1 HD at 8.55am. For full coverage details click here.
