Sophia Dunkley: ‘I want to play fearlessly at the World Cup’

Sophia Dunkley remembers the 50-over 2017 Women’s World Cup final at Lord’s as if it were yesterday. Part of the sellout crowd that witnessed England’s nine-run win against India, she describes the day as “magical”. “I remember turning up to the ground and seeing these massive queues outside Lord’s, which was surreal because I’d never seen that for a women’s game before,” she says. “And then going in and seeing the whole thing filled up and the noise – every time England got a wicket the crowd just erupted, which was amazing.”

From a personal perspective, though, the most significant aspect was not England’s win but rather an announcement that came after play had finished. “I remember watching the girls do a lap of honour at the end and clapping them round,” she says.

“Then there was a moment where they announced that the next World Cup was going to be in New Zealand, and in my head I was like: ‘Right, I want to be there.’”

Four and a half years later, with England days away from commencing their title defence, she is close to achieving that ambition.

It may sound like the stuff of dreams, but it has not come without a fight. Dunkley’s England debut came in the 2018 T20 World Cup in the Caribbean; on her first outing with the bat, against West Indies, Dunkley looked a natural, top-scoring with a 30-ball 35. But there was a problem. “I was predominantly classed as more of an aggressive T20 batter,” she says. “I had to change that stigma around me.”

After England returned home from the West Indies as runners-up to Australia, she spent 18 months on the sidelines, with a point to prove. “I had to work hard to get back in the team – work my way up.” She scored a sea of runs in domestic cricket – including an unbeaten century