New Delhi, Feb 2 (NationPress) The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) fast bowler Lauren Bell has become a key economical player in this season's Women's Premier League (WPL), crediting her achievements to the unwavering support from captain Smriti Mandhana, which has greatly enhanced her confidence.

Lauren has claimed 12 wickets in just eight matches, with an impressive average of 15 and an economy rate of 5.63, alongside a strike rate of 16. Her performance also highlights her relentless precision, marked by 116 dot balls—13 more than her closest competitor, Marizanne Kapp from Delhi Capitals.

“I believe she was familiar with my game before I arrived here, as we have shared a personal friendship. Getting to know her as a captain has been fantastic; she has been incredibly supportive, providing me with a lot of confidence,” Lauren expressed during a virtual interaction organized by RCB.

“Our partnership has been smooth, and knowing I had the backing of my captain eased my nerves. We are in sync regarding all strategies and expectations she has from me,” she added.

Since the 2023 Women’s Ashes, Bell’s bowling style has notably transformed, shifting from an in-swing to an out-swing approach as she re-evaluated her bowling action—from a front-on technique to a more side-on stance.

“I didn't initially intend to switch from in-swing to out-swing. Following my first Ashes series in 2023, I discussed with my coach how to evolve as a bowler. One of my aspirations is to become one of the top seam bowlers globally,” she explained.

“We identified three critical elements of fast bowling: pace, bounce, and movement. My previous action didn’t maximize my potential for speed and bounce, so I made adjustments to stand more upright.”

This alteration has significantly benefited Lauren, allowing RCB to utilize her in pivotal moments, especially during the powerplay and early middle overs. “It’s reassuring to know that swinging the ball keeps you in the game. I take pride in being able to move the ball off the seam,” she said.

Unlike many contemporary cricketers who heavily depend on analytics, Lauren prefers a more straightforward preparation method. “I consider myself a very basic cricketer, as evidenced by my gameplay on the field. I've already bowled to opening batters twice this tournament, so I have my strategy in mind,” she mentioned.

“I focus on my strengths and ensure that my approach aligns with the opposition. I do analyze who I’ll be facing and what the best lines are to dismiss them, but overall, I maintain a simple strategy,” she added.

RCB took a brief respite in Goa before their upcoming title match scheduled for Thursday. Lauren concluded by stating that the team utilized the break to mentally recharge before their quest to secure a second trophy in Vadodara.

“As a team, we are very close and enjoy each other's company. Taking a break allows us to reset mentally; with a week off between matches, it’s essential not to dwell on the final too much to avoid burnout by the time we arrive,” she said.