51�Թ�

Dean, who made her England debut in 2021, said she is trying to avoid "outside noise" regarding the captaincy as she prepares for her first season with Somerset as part of the new women's domestic system, which sees eight counties aligned with the men's first-class teams.

Knight leaves at a similar time for transition, with several senior players coming towards the end of their careers and with the team expecting to blood younger players from a fully professional domestic system.

Meanwhile, across the border, India has risen as cricket's powerhouse, backed by a strong domestic system and the IPL, cricket's richest international league.

But there is also disquiet in the domestic system.

But England are the second-best team in the world behind Australia, with a vastly improved domestic system and The Hundred boosting their player stocks and chances to play in high-pressure situations.