Stress can do unusual issues in sport.
It may present readability – Trent Alexander-Arnold can calmly slot in his penalty in opposition to Switzerland to e book England’s place within the semi-final of the European Championships, or Keely Hodgkinson can time her race to perfection for Olympic 800m glory.
Or it may possibly present chaos, which was the unlucky end result for England’s cricketers on the Ladies’s T20 World Cup in Dubai.
Most notably within the subject, they crumbled below the burden of expectation – the 5 dropped catches will take the headlines, however the best way their heads dropped so rapidly within the face of West Indies’ batting aggression was regarding.
However extra so, is the truth that this isn’t the primary time.
Towards South Africa in 2023, the physique language equally slumped after issues didn’t acquired to plan and on the sphere, they appeared like 11 people somewhat than one crew.
The identical occurred in Dubai, regardless of coach Jon Lewis and captain Heather Knight’s insistence that England have gotten smarter, have tailored their want for attacking cricket to go well with numerous conditions, and have improved their on-field communication.
It’s harsh to attribute the 2023 end result to Lewis, who was very early in his tenure, and it’s harsh to attribute this one to Knight, who was not on the sphere for the second innings due to a calf harm.
However England are the second-best crew on this planet behind Australia, with a vastly improved home system and The Hundred boosting their participant shares and probabilities to play in high-pressure conditions.
In fact, T20 cricket is unpredictable and in a 10-team competitors with internet run-rate taking part in such an important half, the brutal format can see a crew knocked out by only one defeat, as England have discovered.
Nonetheless, for England, something lower than a semi-final is a disappointment, a group-stage exit much more unprecedented – particularly in opposition to a crew they’ve beat in 13 successive T20s and have a lot much less funding and assets.
After an unbeaten residence summer time and an exciting Ashes collection final yr which noticed England beat world champions Australia in each white-ball codecs, Knight’s aspect ought to have been brimming with confidence and of their first three video games they rightfully performed in that method.
Once more, although, they’ve fallen brief the minute that depth has been utilized. They’ve talked the speak, however couldn’t stroll the stroll.
