### Behind the Scenes with Lauren Bell: A Bowler’s Journey

**Lauren Bell**, the talented 23-year-old seam bowler, has been making waves in women’s cricket with her impressive performances, taking 18 wickets in nine internationals this past English summer. However, her journey hasn’t been without challenges, as she’s been undergoing a significant remodelling of her bowling action.

#### The Challenge of Change

In a recent interview on the **BBC’s Tailenders podcast**, Bell shared the mental hurdles of adjusting her technique. “The worst place you can be as a bowler is overthinking your technique in a game,” she explained. During her transition, she found herself more focused on mechanics than on the game itself, which affected her performance.

Originally known for her ability to bowl a dangerous inswinger, Bell recognized that her action was limiting her potential. “I had back pain quite a lot, and bowling inswing was my only option because I fell away so much,” she admitted. The decision to change was made in collaboration with England’s fast-bowling coach **Matt Mason** and head coach **Jon Lewis**, focusing on achieving more pace, bounce, and the ability to swing the ball both ways.

#### The Road to Improvement

The transition wasn’t easy. Bell described her initial resistance to change, stating, “For a good few months, I would do a couple of sessions and think, ‘No, I don’t want to change it.’” It wasn’t until she returned from a tour in New Zealand that she committed fully to the process.

Through countless drills and technical adjustments, Bell worked on maintaining a more upright posture in her delivery. This meant keeping her back foot grounded and preventing herself from falling over during her stride. The improvements were gradual, with Bell acknowledging that it’s “not an overnight fix.” This summer, she experienced mixed results, even bowling 17 wides in four one-day internationals, highlighting the difficulty of her adjustment.

#### Learning to Adapt

As she prepares for the T20 World Cup in the UAE, Bell feels more confident in her technique. “I’ve got to a place where I am really happy with the technical stuff,” she stated. However, she also recognized the importance of adapting her bowling to the conditions and the batsmen she faces, rather than just focusing on showcasing her new skills.

#### Looking Ahead

Bell’s journey mirrors those of other successful bowlers, like **James Anderson** and **Mitchell Johnson**, who also underwent significant changes to their bowling actions. Now, as she embarks on her World Cup campaign, Bell aims to balance her newfound abilities with the core principles of effective bowling.