ICC Women's T20 World Cup: Nat Sciver-Brunt says England see pressure as a privilege ahead of tournament

Nat Sciver-Brunt says England are embracing the additional pressure of trying to win the ICC Women's T20 World Cup on home soil.

The hosts are one of the favourites to win the tournament and are out to end a 17-year wait to win the ICC Women's T20 World Cup, as they prepare to face Sri Lanka in their opener on Friday June 12 - which can be streamed for FREE via the Sky Sports App.

On Monday, England suffered a five-wicket defeat to Australia in Cardiff, during their first World Cup warm-up match, with England's top-order batters struggling to score runs against Sophie Molineux's team's bowling attack.

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England bounced back in their ICC Women's World Cup warm-up match against India on Wednesday, with Sciver-Brunt and Amy Jones both making centuries as England sealed a nailbiting five-run victory over India at Sophia Gardens.

But with all of England's preparations now complete, all eyes will turn to whether Charlotte Edwards' side can emulate the likes of the UEFA Women's European Championship winners, the Lionesses, and Women's Rugby World Cup winners, the Red Roses, during this summer's tournament.

"There's extra pressure from everywhere," Sciver-Brunt said.

"We are the host nation, and it's the first home World Cup for me, leading the team.

"The Lionesses and the Red Roses have done such a brilliant job in the last few years. The state of women's cricket. The list goes on in terms of where you could add up the pressure, I suppose.

"We're sat here feeling that pressure is a privilege. We're in a time where women's cricket is waiting for a platform to expand and explode.

"It just so happens we are the 15 people who have the opportunity to do that at this time. There will be pressure. But inside our team bubble, we're trying to stay composed and take each moment as it comes, each ball as it comes.

"There will be different times where it is difficult not to let the outside noise in.

"But I suppose we're in a privileged position to be able to feel that, so I'm excited about what's to come."

Dean: England can beat the best teams in the world

While there is pressure on England to perform, vice-captain Charlie Dean said England are trying to remove the 'daunting aspects' that may come with trying to win a World Cup at home.

"I think it's important for us to talk about the pressure," Dean told Sky Sports.

"We know that eyes are on us and people want us to do well. We know that if we're on our best day and we perform, we can beat anyone.

"It's just getting to that as a team, and it's framing it as that exciting opportunity, which it is.

"Steering away from the daunting aspects that it can possibly bring, but also acknowledging we're all human and we're probably all going to feel those pressures.

"You can't be brave without being scared. And can we be open and honest with each other to then help each other through those moments."

While the prospect of being able to open women's cricket to new audiences through the World Cup is exciting, Dean added that England were looking forward to competing against the toughest opponents in the world.

But the stand-in captain admits her side will need to be on top form to defeat teams like Australia and South Africa during the World Cup.

"As cricketers, we're being challenged in every game that we play, which is a really exciting place to be in," Dean said.

"There's no team that couldn't win a certain game. I think that's probably the nature of T20.

"It feels like we're going to have to be on our A-game for all the group stages, and then I'm excited to see how the team goes in those pressure situations.

"We've talked a lot about it, you know we want to perform well when we're under the pump, and when eyes are on us, and I feel like we're getting to a place where we're learning how to do that.

"I'm excited to see, you know, if we can, we can stand up when it really matters, because I really believe that our team."

Hussain: Tough people, like Dean, stand up in tough situations

Nasser Hussain believes England can weather the pressures of the home World Cup by expressing themselves.

He added that when the going gets tough, they can also look to 'tough characters' like Dean, who can lead them through.

"Well, it's a balance of firstly not making it too important when you know it is seriously important," Sky Sports' Hussain said.

"I'm not speaking as an expert and can only speak about the big games I have played in. But in a World Cup semi-final, Eoin Morgan wasn't standing here or Heather Knight, going: 'This is the most important day of your life. Do you know how important this is? You're going to be inspiring a generation?'

"That's the last thing you want to hear. You want to hear that: 'Treat it like another game of cricket, and go out and enjoy it, and express yourself.'

"So, it's getting that balance right of realising it's a seriously important game, and you're under pressure, and you'll be criticised again if you lose. But also, just trying to go out and express themselves, and also pick on character. That's why I keep mentioning Charlie Dean.

"In the first of England's ODI matches against New Zealand at Durham, England were collapsing. Who pulled them out of the hole again? Charlie Dean."

While Maia Bouchier made 59 off 69 balls and Freya Kemp brought up a score of 30, England's top order batters, Knight, Emma Lamb and Jodi Grewcock all failed to move past 20 runs. Dean arrived late and struck 31 off 46 balls.

"I think she's got real fight and character about her," Hussain said. "You want to go into battle with someone who, under pressure, would deliver, and their stand-in captain does that time in, time in and out.

"So, absolutely pick on character. Tough people in tough situations."

Stream T20 World Cup matches for FREE

Everyone can stream all 12 group matches involving England, Scotland and Ireland, as well as the semi-finals and final of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup live for FREE on the Sky Sports App.

All you have to do is download the latest version of the Sky Sports App onto your phone or tablet and log in.

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• iPhone & iPad
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Watch every ball of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup exclusively live on Sky Sports and NOW, from the opening match on June 12 through to the final on July 5. Hosts England kick off the tournament on opening night with a game versus Sri Lanka at Edgbaston (6.30pm start).

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