Sophie Ecclestone: England needed someone to "freshen things up"

The England spinner was full of praise for new head coach Jon Lewis as well as her fellow spinners Sarah Glenn and Charlie Dean following England's victory in the fourth T20I against West Indies

Sophie Ecclestone believes England are heading in the right direction under new head coach, Jon Lewis, admitting the team needed someone "to come in and freshen things up".

Lewis replaced Lisa Keightley at the helm in November and has enjoyed a strong start to his tenure. His side completed a 3-0 series win in the ODI series and remain on course for a clean sweep in the ongoing T20I series after completing a 49-run win in Bridgetown on December 18.

Every player on the tour to date has heaped praise on Lewis' ethos during his first few weeks in charge, with the words "positive", "inspiring", "entertaining" and "fearless" all worthy selections on a press conference bingo card. And Ecclestone is no different, with the spinner "loving this tour" even at the end of a packed year of international cricket.

"Jon Lewis has been great for us," Ecclestone said. "I think we needed someone to come in and freshen things up and to be in a position to be able to go out and be positive and give everything to the team and not have any worries if it goes wrong and to leave it all out on the pitch.

^{Ecclestone was full of praise for Charlie Dean (centre) [CWI Media]}

"I'm really loving this tour. The new head coach coming in has really changed things up a bit and it's great to have everyone back together. After being in the Big Bash it feels great to be back in an England shirt."

Ecclestone has taken regular wickets in the Caribbean and added two more to her haul in the fourth T20I, dismissing Djenaba Joseph and Cherry-Ann Fraser on her way to figures of 2 for 13. Lauren Bell shone with four wickets but it was Ecclestone's fellow spinners, Charlie Dean – who picked up the player of the match awards for her 20 runs and two wickets – and Sarah Glenn, whom she was particularly impressed with.

"It was a bit of a tricky wicket today but playing three spinners with Glenny and Deano is great for me and great for us three. I'm glad we're doing well together," she said.

"Deano obviously played a T20 in the Ashes and didn't bowl a ball or field a ball so I think it's great that she's shown how great she can be.

"Looking ahead to the World Cup, they're always incredible to be a part of and the event itself will be amazing. I think the up and coming team that we have now is amazing and I can't wait to see what we can do."

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