Women's T20 World Cup 2026: 'It brings out the best in me' - Lauren Bell takes about her role in England side's success

England fast bowler Lauren Bell has talked about her role in the side and how it brings the best out of her ahead of their game against Ireland in the 2026 Women's T20 World Cup at the Rose Bowl in Southampton. The hosts come into the game on the back of a convincing 87-run victory over Sri Lanka in their opening game of the tournament in Birmingham.

Bell has slowly become her side's lead bowler with the new ball, capable of taking early wickets in the powerplay. The Hampshire star stated how she loves her role in the side, with the added duties bringing out the best in her gameplay.

The 25-year-old took a wicket in only her second over of the game against Sri Lanka, trapping Vishmi Gunaratne in the front.

"I feel really happy with where I am at and my role in this team. I think I am obviously in it to take powerplay wickets and come back at the death. I feel like I am happy with where I am at and how it is all going," Lauren Bell said in the pre-match press conference.

"It brings out the best in me, having the responsibility and a really clear role within the team, and I love taking the first over of the game and trying to set the team up and get us off to a flyer, and then coming back and having a responsibility at the death. It definitely brings the best out of me," Bell added.

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Bell comes into the T20 World Cup on the back of some good performances in series against New Zealand and India. The right-arm pacer ended the three-match T20I series against India as England's leading wicket-taker with seven scalps to her name at a strike-rate of just 10.28, whilst averaging 14.71.

Her best performance came in the first game of the series in Chelmsford, where she dismissed both Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma in the first over. England, however, ended the game on the losing side but would still go on to win the series 2-1.