Tammy Beaumont could rest on her laurels.
She was the tournament top run scorer at the 2017 World Cup when England became champions, and then last year she scored a record 628 runs across the summer, beating Jan Brittin’s tally of 595 from 34 years earlier.
That form made her one of Wisden’s five cricketers of the year, male or female, and recognised her status as one of the best opening batters in the world.
But in this, an Ashes year for the women too, that is not enough.
“I want to be the leading run-scorer again this year and have no problem in saying that publicly,” said the 28-year-old. “I’m the one putting the pressure on myself.
“I think my biggest enemy at times is myself. I’m a massive perfectionist and always want to score the most runs.
“I’ve been quite open in saying that I want to be the best opening batter in the world and that is what I’m working towards, but the main goal is to beat the Aussies as a team.”
Ah yes, the Australians. Enemy No.1 regardless of which England team is taking them on, and, just like the men, they are the current Ashes holders, hopefully only until the end of July.
First up is the West Indies next month, a hugely powerful T20 side and an emerging one in the 50-over game before Meg Lanning brings her Aussie team over to face Beaumont and Co in an Ashes series made up of three ODIs, a four-day Test, and three more T20s in a points system where they all count towards the final result.
“It’s hard to win the Ashes,” added Beaumont with more than a hint of understatement.
“They hold them at the moment and that makes it a little tougher to get back. Last time we drew so they held on to them.
“That still hurts. The rivalry is just the same as in men’s cricket and we have been the two sides that have been the best backed and supported in the women’s game across the world.
“We’ve been the powerhouses of women’s cricket so when we go toe-to-toe it is a good indication of where the women’s game is at.
“It’s a big series and if we get on top we want to wear them down.”
