Heather Knight is looking forward to beginning a new paradigm in her cricket career. Her nine-year captaincy of England came to an end following a disappointing Ashes series. With Nat Sciver-Brunt now at the helm and Charlotte Edwards stepping in as the new coach, Knight has shifted her focus back to her primary role—scoring runs for the team.
The 32-year-old batsman took a break from the sport after the Ashes series in which the English team suffered a full 16-0 humiliation. In her year away, Knight loved working on the series but didn’t want to overthink such a collaborative, visceral experience. It’s why she’s concentrated on her form with Somerset in the strengthened women’s domestic circuit. She has 244 runs in only six innings, with one double century and another half-century.
Knight stressed her intent to back Sciver-Brunt in her new role as captain of the national side. She’s not taking this opportunity for granted and is committed to helping the Red Stars grow better with each day. Her return to those ranks is, in part, nourished by a profound desire to help England get better.
“I’ve had a long career now, you get those peaks and troughs, the low moments that drive you. It’s certainly going to be a motivator to keep pushing forward and get better as individuals and as a side.” – Heather Knight
The former captain was present at the launch of new cricket facilities in Kingston. IG and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) did help make this event happen. Knight’s involvement underlines her commitment to the growth of women’s cricket in England, as well as her enthusiasm for development within the sport.
Reflecting on her time leading the team, Knight noted that she enjoyed the experience but is equally excited about what lies ahead. She acknowledged the changes within the team and expressed optimism for the future.
“There’s been a lot of change. I really enjoyed it [captaincy], but I’m really excited for the next chapter as well,” – Heather Knight
Knight’s contributions to the team go above and beyond her skills at the plate. She is still a notable and vocal supporter of Sciver-Brunt and the positive impact she will have in guiding the team forward. Knight’s sincere attitude is visible as she explains that she will always be there to help, in any way possible.
Despite her recent injury that sidelined her during England’s group-stage exit in the T20 World Cup, Knight’s focus has remained steadfast. She looks forward to having a big impact early on in those games. Restoring England’s reputation in international women’s cricket is her aim.
“It was a tough series, no beating around the bush, but they’re the series you learn the most about yourself and give you that hunger to be better and turn things around.” – Heather Knight
As she moves into this next stage of her career, Knight is excited to use what she’s learned. She is dedicated to uplifting her teammates and challenging them to thrive. What fuels her powerful sense of grit, though, is her desire to keep getting better. As England finds its way towards winning ways, she will be key to that success.
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