Ice packs & F1 cooling vests - England ready for heat

ByMatthew Henry

BBC Sport Journalist at Lord's

England could use ice packs, cooling vests and other methods to deal with the heat during their T20 World Cup match against West Indies at Lord's on Wednesday, says stand-in captain Charlie Dean.

Temperatures are forecast to reach 35 degrees on Wednesday in London with a rare red heat warning in place.

With the Group 2 match set to go ahead (18:30 BST) amid travel warnings, Dean said her side will draw on past experiences of playing in countries such as India and Australia.

"It's a bit weird being in England and it being this warm but, yes, we've played in these conditions before we know that it takes a lot out of you," Dean told BBC Sport.

"We've got a few ice packs, lots of ice.

"There's those vests, the cooling vests that Formula One drivers have. A few of them might get run on and few [tubular] grips filled with ice to put around your neck, bits like that."

Wednesday is likely to have the warmest temperatures for a cricket match in the UK since a sweltering England men's match against South Africa in Chester-le-Street.

That day the heat reached 38C and some spectators required medical attention in the stands.

The Intentional Cricket Council (ICC) and England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) have extreme heat protocols in place for the match, with its safety officer, match officials, medical teams and wider organising team in charge of managing the situation throughout.

"I definitely remember an umbrella being ran on in Dubai, so I don't know if it is that drastic but there are loads of things you can do," Dean said.

"Having chewing gum and mints in your mouth makes you feel cooler. There is loads of science behind it apparently.

"There's loads of things we can do to be best prepared."

It is expected air-conditioned spaces around Lord's will be made accessible to spectators to cool down.

In extreme situations, a match can be called off if it is deemed unsafe for players or spectators.

Crowds were already reduced in Bristol for Tuesday's World Cup matches because of the heat.

A fourth victory for England on Wednesday would secure their progression through to the semi-finals with a match to spare.

West Indies, who knocked England out of the 2024 T20 World Cup, are also have three wins from three in this tournament but were pushed closed by New Zealand and Scotland. England beat the Windies 3-0 in a T20 series last year.

Dean will again deputise for skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt, who is not expected to play again in the group stage because of a calf injury.

Sciver-Brunt could return to training later in the week but will need another scan before being cleared to play.

"She's been around the group and she's tracking really well which is great," Dean said.

"Having Nat on the field really provides us with a sense of confidence, the calibre of player that she is and the leader that she is.

"I'm ready to step up should it be needed but hopefully she'll be back with us soon."