There has been a buzz around the England camp as well as a sense of puzzlement. They are in the semi-finals; they are playing well, though not flawlessly. Two victories over India and New Zealand, both easier than expected, have boosted confidence and clarified what they believe to be their best team in most conditions. Now they are kicking their heels until their semi-final at Edgbaston comes around on Thursday. It will be a long wait, though Jason Roy and Jofra Archer may welcome an opportunity to rest aching bodies.
And the puzzlement? Well, like everyone else, the players have been transfixed by England’s women footballers in France, who prompted 11.7 million television viewers to watch their semi-final against USA. Ellen White is now a more recognisable figure than Joe Root or Jos Buttler. England’s endearing bunch of cricketers, from a wide variety of backgrounds, would not be human if they did not feel some bemusement – and a little resentment – that with a possible World Cup triumph of their own around the corner such a huge chunk of the country has no idea who they are and how they play.
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