England’s T20 World Cup preparations will not be affected by the last-minute switch from Bangladesh to the United Arab Emirates, says captain Heather Knight.
Civil unrest in Bangladesh forced the International Cricket Council to move the tournament just six weeks before the first match on 3 October.
“The conditions will be slightly different, but not hugely,” said Knight, 33.
“We’ve had Bangladesh in our heads for a long time, probably for the last couple of years, in terms of getting the players ready and building the squad.
“But I don’t think it changes too much. As players it gives us a little more time outside of the hotel room which is always a good thing.”
Knight added it was a “shame” for the Bangladesh women’s team not to have a home World Cup but moving the tournament was “the right decision”.
One of the more obvious differences in Sharjah and Dubai will be smaller crowds, which Knight says is something she will talk to the players about.
“Having played in Bangladesh in 2014 at the World Cup, we got some really good crowds, particularly in Sylhet, and it was a really good atmosphere,” said Knight.
“It’s something we’ll talk about but it’s a World Cup and it shouldn’t take much to get up for that.”
England begin their campaign on 5 October against Bangladesh in Sharjah, before facing 2023 finalists South Africa, Scotland and West Indies in the initial group stage before the semi-finals.
