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Lauren Winfield has urged England women to continue pushing the boundaries after they smashed the 300-run barrier during their warm-up match in Pretoria ahead of their one-day international series against South Africa.
The 25-year-old was one of three half-centurions, along with Lydia Greenway and Jenny Gunn, as the tourists justified Charlotte Edwards’ decision to bat first by racking up 337 for eight.
Katherine Brunt then ripped out the heart of the South African Emerging XI, who were eventually dismissed for 192 after late help from England internationals Danielle Wyatt and Tammy Beaumont, with the fast bowler finishing with four wickets.
But it was the performance with the bat that pleased Winfield the most in Mark Robinson’s first game as Head Coach, especially after the team had targeted a total of 300.
“We have spoken about raising the bar and trying to push for 300,” the Yorkshirewoman told ecb.co.uk. “The game is moving on and it is important we are up there and setting the standard.
“That is kind of a target we are aiming for. It was really nice to go out there today and put that on the board after speaking about it yesterday.”
And we are underway! @Lottie2323 & @lozwinfield are out in the middle #EngWomen pic.twitter.com/9hH4jA60Zy
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) February 2, 2016
Despite the second-ball loss of Edwards, Winfield got England’s innings off to a lightning start by hitting 15 fours in a 50-ball 81.
She was a late replacement at the top of the order for the injured Amy Jones, who was sidelined with a bruised knuckle, and was delighted to put all her hard work into practice.
“It was really good to get a bit of time in the middle,” she said. “I feel like I have been hitting them quite well in training and it was really nice to get an opportunity to go out there.
“It is the closest we can get to an actual international. All the batters have played really well with a good positive intent so it was nice to cash in on that.”
Like several of her England team-mates, Winfield spent the winter in Australia taking part in the Women’s Big Bash League.
“I think I have learnt a lot over the winter,” the Brisbane Heat player said. “Playing in the WBBL was a great experience, a lot of learning.
And that’s the end of #EngWomen innings 337-8. 50s for @lozwinfield @lydiagreenway @GunnJenny pic.twitter.com/JYQLjJya8B
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) February 2, 2016
“Especially playing a lot of T20 cricket, it means you come into ODI cricket and just look to be positive from ball one.
“If we are to going to push forward and aim for those bigger targets then that is how we have got to go about it.”
Brunt backed up England’s brilliant batting performance by making three early in-roads, reducing the hosts to 26 for four.
She returned to claim another victim to complete impressive figures of 4-25.
“She has had a really good Big Bash with the ball,” Winfield added. “She bowled really well out there.
“It is good to see she is continuing it through here. She is bowling with good aggression, taking wickets and she is back to her best. It is really good to see.”
1st game in charge for the #EngWomen all-new coaching team. Welcome Robbo, Ali & Sals pic.twitter.com/rb0EOHiZxq
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) February 2, 2016
England lent their opposition a hand when they slipped to 66 for seven, allowing Wyatt and Beaumont to switch allegiances, and the pair both joined Winfield in staking a claim for a place in Robinson’s XI.
Wyatt, a Melbourne Renegade in the recent WBBL, smashed 60 off 42 balls while Beaumont also provided some lusty blows in making 28.
“It is a hugely exciting time for the squad,” Winfield said. “This is a really key era for us.
“It just shows with the girls playing for the opposition, coming in and playing with that intent and scoring really freely, it means we have got a lot of depth.
“Selection is going to be tough. There is a lot of talent in this team and it is a real exciting time for us.”
Source: ECB