From hating cricket to world number one - the rise of England's Smith
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- Linsey Smith made her England debut in 2018 aged 23, taking 13 wickets in nine T20s at a bowling average below 15 — but told BBC Sport she 'hated' the experience, would check forecasts hoping for rain, and spiralled with self-doubt before losing her contract.
- After five years out of the international setup, Smith was recalled in 2024 and has thrived under coach Charlotte Edwards, entering the home T20 World Cup (12 June–5 July) ranked the world's No.1 bowler.
- Linsey Smith developed a low-arm under-spinner variation with spin-bowling coach Tom Smith during England's fixtureless winter, crediting the new ball with growing her effectiveness at the death in addition to her new-ball skills.
- Lauren Bell and Smith form England's new-ball pairing — a self-described 'yin and yang' of left-arm spin and right-arm seam — and also played together for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in three Women's Premier League matches earlier this year.
- Unlike taller left-arm spinners Sophie Ecclestone and Tilly Corteen-Coleman, Smith slings the ball with a low arm, and told BBC Sport she swung the ball more than England's seamers in a T20 against New Zealand this summer.
- Smith rebuilt her love for the game with Northern Diamonds, Hampshire, The Hundred and other franchise leagues after losing her England contract, while also working as a community coach for Leicestershire.
Why it matters: Smith's recall after five years away and rise to world No.1 lands at a pivotal moment — England open their home T20 World Cup on 12 June with Smith as the top-ranked bowler and Bell's new-ball partner. Her low-arm slinging action, which already out-swung the seamers in a recent T20 against New Zealand, gives Edwards a bowling variety no other side in the tournament matches.
