Playing at Home An Advantage Katherine Brunt

Playing at Home An Advantage Katherine Brunt

The 50-over Women's World Cup returns to England after a span of 24 years and every time a women's world event has been held there, the home side have managed to pip the other countries; 1973 World Cup, 1993 World Cup and the 2009 World T20. So, when the 11th edition of the Women's World Cup kickstarts on Saturday (June 24), England invariably will start as favorites.

Katherine Brunt, who was part of the team which won the 2009 World T20, reckons that having home support will add as an 'advantage' to her side. "The 2009 World Twenty20 was brilliant," Brunt said. "For the final, I remember my family being up in the grandstand and the fact it was a huge occasion being at Lord's. We'd love for that to happen again this time and a home World Cup means our family and friends can come to every game and be a part of something special," she added.

England have a golden opportunity to win their fourth World Cup and going by the recent trend that enlists the hosts nation as the favorites at the beginning of a tournament, England, with their squad depth and crowd support have the ingredients to go the distance.

"It is definitely an advantage having home comforts," added the 31-year-old. "My family have never come abroad to watch me play, bar one time 13 years ago right at the start of my career.

"So whenever I'm in England I really do love it because I get to have their support and see their faces before and after the game, regardless of the result. It's really special in that regard.

"Everyone knows you can burn out from things, whether it be a normal job or in the sport. You always need time away to become refreshed and recover mentally, as much as physically."

England won the One-Day as well as the Twenty20 World Cup in 2009 along with the Ashes and a repeat of those is what Brunt aims to achieve. However, she emphasized that some of the young players, who are participating for the first time in the mega event, will need the backing of their family and friends.

"That year we happened to perform really well under pressure and we had the best year in the history of women's cricket I believe, by winning the Twenty20 and World Cup and retaining the Ashes.

"It will be a lot of our team's first World Cup, so it will be important for them to have that support and then when the games are sold out, the support of the rest of the fans is fantastic. We want to put on a show for those people who appreciate cricket and want to see a good game. We've got to make the most of a home World Cup," Brunt concluded.