Players must cope with extra scrutiny, says Lewis

The England coach, Jon Lewis, said his players experienced a "sharp learning curve" about perception management in the fallout from their disastrous group-stage exit in last month's T20 World Cup.

- Raf Nicholson

The team's fitness, professionalism and leadership were all called into question.

Criticism was directed at the players when they fell apart against West Indies after their captain Heather Knight's injury-enforced absence from the field, dropping six straightforward catches, as the team seemed to panic when Nat Sciver-Brunt took the reins. Further pointed remarks were then made about the conditioning of some players.

But as the team look to the future, beginning with a multi-format series in South Africa this month, Lewis backed Sciver-Brunt to remain as vice-captain while admitting they need to work on "developing the next group of leaders" to prepare for life beyond Knight. He also defended the team's preparation.

Lewis said Sciver-Brunt was a "more than capable leader", but refused to confirm that she would succeed Knight on a full-time basis.