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Charlie Dean, pictured here during the losing Ashes campaign, has not played for an England captain other than Heather Knight - Getty Images/Mark Brake
Charlie Dean said she was “shocked and taken aback” at the decision to sack Heather Knight as England Women’s captain.
Knight is set to remain a part of the side as a specialist batter, but her nine years at the helm were brought to an end after the chastening 16-0 Ashes whitewash at the start of the year.
A lengthy England and Wales Cricket Board review into the series culminated in both Knight and head coach Jon Lewis losing their roles.
For Dean, who has been a part of the England squad since 2021, the decision to remove the captain was a surprise.
Speaking at the Somerset media day, she said: “I think if I’m honest, I was quite shocked and taken aback by that change. Because I know Heather gives 100 per cent to everything that she does.
“She leads with a real integrity and leads not only through her words but by example in the way that she trains, what she puts herself through to be available and really give her best on the pitch.
“I think she was one of our best batters out there, in that rained-off game she fronted up and she did so across most of the Ashes, really. It felt like we probably let her down in a way, so it feels weird. I guess I haven’t played for England without Heather leading us, I don’t remember anyone before her.”
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Knight’s Ashes campaign was a dismal failure - Getty Images/Mark Metcalfe
Knight has been one of just two England Women’s captains in the professional era, and led the team to World Cup glory in 2017. The longevity of her role leaves just a handful of players who have experienced anyone but her as permanent captain.
The ECB has not made public the results of its review, nor is it clear whether there will be just two changes of personnel.
Dean contributed to the review, taking part in a questionnaire and survey, but has not been contacted extensively or heard much about the process.
Before the start of the new season, which will be the first since the men’s and women’s counties were combined in a tier system, Dean is unsure of who she will have to impress to gain international selection: “I’m a little uncertain and a little apprehensive about the season but it’s an exciting challenge, there’s lots of change on the horizon I guess with the new county system and change in England Women, so there’s lots of change so I’m excited for it.”
One of the possible new head coaches being touted to succeed Lewis is Charlotte Edwards, who was England captain before Knight. Having worked under Edwards at Southern Vipers, Dean has nothing but praise for her. “She’s a fantastic head coach. She really makes the game seem simple,” she said.
“As a complicated game that cricket is, the way that she looks at it and I guess describes it just makes it feel like a simple game.”
While England’s leadership remains uncertain, Dean is among the possible contenders for a future captaincy role, having taken up the mantle for London Spirit during one season of the Hundred. She has also led the England A side.
“I think I probably haven’t done as much as I’d like to in the last couple of years,” Dean acknowledged when asked if she enjoys captaincy.
“I think I’m sort of growing into my leadership and captaincy. I’ve probably always been a bit introverted and a bit shy, a shy kid, but I captained my age groups and that was something that I really enjoyed doing. So yeah I think it’s something that could potentially be in my future, but I just want to keep learning and keep getting better every day and see where it takes me.”
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