‘Our attention will be on the game’ – Amy Jones prioritises 2nd T20I vs IND instead of WPL auction

Amy Jones (Photo by Matthew Lewis-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)

Backed by half-centuries from Danielle Wyatt and Nat Sciver-Brunt, England defeated India by 38 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match T20I series. The second T20I will take place on Saturday, December 9, in Mumbai.

Interestingly enough, a few hours after the commencement of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2024 auction. Hence, in this situation, it may prove to be quite difficult for the players to put all their focus on the match. However, England wicketkeeper-batter Amy Jones assured that her team will prioritise the vital clash against the ‘Women in Blue’.

“We had a very similar situation in the (T20) World Cup which was just completely new for us as a group, obviously (the) first auction ever in women’s cricket,” Jones recalled about the last WPL auction in February during 

During the inaugural WPL auction in February, the teams were busy playing in the T20 World Cup in South Africa. England faced Ireland on the same day as the auction.

“I do not know if it was a challenge last year — it was something new to consider as a group — this year it will be a lot simpler having done it before. Our attention will be on the game as much as possible,” Jones said ahead of England’s training session on Friday.

“(A) bit of learning from last year, obviously. A completely new experience for everyone and we did sit down as a group to try and address issues that might come off it. It was always going to be probably going to be a distraction last year but hoping (that) this year will be a bit more relaxed,” Jones added.

If the wickets start to turn it will be even better for our spinners: Amy Jones

The 30-year-old praised spinners Sarah Glenn and Sophie Ecclestone for their performances in the first game. Glenn finished with figures of 1/25 in her four overs while Ecclestone, the top-ranked T20I bowler, bagged a three-for. Amy Jones reckoned that they could fare even better if the surfaces aid the spinners more in the coming games.

“(Sarah) Glenn and Soph (Sophie Ecclestone) bowled really well. They like to keep it quite simple, attack the stumps as much as possible. If the wicket gives them some turn, (it is) bonus but if not, they are really good at keeping it tight for us anyway. If the wickets start to turn it will be even better for those two,” Jones concluded.