Dean enjoying 'fun' England captaincy role

Somerset all-rounder Charlie Dean says she has enjoyed captaining England Women as they prepare for the start of the T20 World Cup later this month.

Dean, who has led her country in the absence of Nat Sciver-Brunt, praised the support she had received from those around her during the recent series against New Zealand and India.

"It's been really fun. It felt big for the ODIs with New Zealand, but I have eased into it and I have had the best support from the girls," Dean told BBC Radio Bristol.

"I have really enjoyed it and I think that is testament to where I am with my cricket, being able to take all of that on."

England drew the one-day series 1-1 with New Zealand, before defeating the White Ferns 2-1 in the T20 internationals.

Dean's side are locked at 1-1 with India going into the final clash of the three-match series in Taunton on Tuesday evening.

Sciver-Brunt is still expected to be fit for the start of the World Cup on 12 June.

All-rounder Dean also praised team-mate and former captain Heather Knight, who last week became the most-capped England women's cricketer, for helping her adjust to the demands of leading her country.

"Heather is a stalwart of English cricket, she always leads by example in the way she goes about her business on the pitch," said Dean.

"She is someone I greatly admire and she has been alongside me as my leadership experience has started to grow.

"She has been a brilliant person to help mentor me and bounce ideas off. To be playing with her in an England shirt is something I won't take for granted.

"That said, it's taken some getting used to having to direct such an esteemed colleague around the cricket pitch.

"Telling Heather to go and field at short third is a little intimidating!" explained Dean.

"But she is a great follower, riding with my ideas and my cricket gut and brain. It's been great to lead some of the more experienced players and also encourage the confidence of the younger ones."

The India game at Taunton will not be the last of England's warm-up fixtures before the T20 World Cup, with matches against Australia and India again also scheduled before their tournament opener against Sri Lanka on 12 June.

Dean is pleased with how her side is shaping up.

"I feel like we are getting there, it's been really good preparation from us, and then we'll get straight into on June 12, so we are really looking forward to it," she said.

"India and New Zealand are world-class teams, so to be able to challenge ourselves and have this preparation has been invaluable.

"We have been able to change the team around a bit, and find out what we want to go with into the World Cup with."

On the to-do list first though is the smaller task of securing a series win against India, something Dean will have the chance to help do on her home pitch, having signed for Somerset last year.

Even if the weather does not always play ball.

"Every time we have an international game in Taunton there has been weather around, which is shame because I love playing here," she said.

"The crowds we get in and the way cricket is celebrated down in the West Country makes it a special place to play.

"Playing for England makes it all the more special."