A long wait finally ended in Derby, and when it did, it erupted with pride, relief, and celebration. Amy Jones, one of England’s most seasoned campaigners, brought up her maiden international century—a feat over a decade in the making—by powering her side to a dominant 108-run win against the West Indies. Her century came not just as a personal breakthrough but as a beacon of a new phase for both her and the team under the stewardship of head coach Charlotte Edwards.
The image of Edwards smiling from the sidelines as Jones raised her bat summed it up—12 years, 200-plus matches, and now, a well-deserved century. For Jones, though the words exchanged with her coach post-knock may be a blur, the emotion was etched deep, “I’ve always liked facing the new ball, the challenge of that, and then also having the chance to set the tone. That’s a really cool responsibility to have.”
Returning to the top of the order brought a breath of familiarity to Jones. Having opened just 22 times in ODIs before—last in the 2019 Ashes—Jones resumed her position with vigour. With Tammy Beaumont by her side, the two rekindled their partnership from The Blaze in domestic cricket, where they’ve consistently opened together this season. Their chemistry translated seamlessly onto the international stage, where they put on a massive 222-run partnership, with Beaumont making 107 and Jones notching up 122.
The domestic season had already begun to hint at a resurgent Jones, with scores of 41, 52, and 80 in her last three innings before the international call. She reflected on the learnings that guided her from domestic momentum to international brilliance, “There was a lot of learning through that, times when I got off to good starts and got out in the thirties and I guess just figuring out a good tempo through an innings.”
Transitioning from the middle order to opening is no mere shuffle. It’s a change in mentality, a fresh tempo, and the need to handle tougher phases early in the innings. Jones acknowledged the challenge and growth that came with that transition, “Opening is a bit different and there’s the challenge of navigating trickier patches throughout, so I’d say that’s probably been the biggest learning from those games.”
For Jones, the call to open again wasn’t just a tactical shift—it was a boost to her inner belief. Edwards’ faith in her brought with it a freedom, a feeling of belonging at the top, “When Lottie said I was going to be opening, it definitely gave me a lot of confidence and belief that how I go about it could be a really good match for what she wants at the top of the order. So, I think from that, definitely a bit of freedom just to go out there.”
And though her position in the order changed, her mental approach, honed during her middle-order days, remains valuable. “Something I worked really hard at in the middle order was almost ignoring the scoreboard and just playing the ball. So, I think that all still applies at the top, but I guess it’s setting the tone as opposed to reacting to a different situation.”
Beyond the runs and rhythm, Jones has been making waves in a leadership capacity. Named as part of a rotating leadership group during the T20Is against West Indies, she has stepped into a mentor’s shoes alongside a group of rising names, supporting captain Nat Sciver-Brunt. Her previous captaincy stint in 2022, during Sciver-Brunt and Heather Knight’s absence, had already showcased her calm, composed leadership. “It’s a really good thing and a good way of hearing different voices, giving responsibility to different players and I guess looking to the future as well.”
England’s current structure under Edwards is focused on developing leadership depth. By distributing roles among players like Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, and Kate Cross, the team is fostering a culture of shared responsibility and vision, “We probably haven’t had that obvious list of potential captains really. I think there’s a lot of people that would do a great job at it, but looking a bit further on, this is definitely going to improve everyone’s leadership and confidence in that area as well, which I think is huge, the belief that you can be a leader amongst the group. Sharing that out is a great way of spreading it wide, I suppose.”
Jones’ own role as a leader might not always come with a title, but her experience and grounding make her a key voice in the dressing room and she’s part of a broader England set-up that is now brimming with options.
This freshness is evident in the elevation of domestic performers to the international stage. With Sophie Ecclestone rested and playing domestic cricket after her knee injury, players like Linsey Smith and Em Arlott stepped into the limelight. Smith claimed a five-wicket haul on her ODI debut—six and a half years after her T20I debut—while Arlott starred with a match-winning performance in just her second international appearance.
These opportunities are the result of a promise made and kept by Edwards: that domestic performances would not go unnoticed, “On the whole, across all the different disciplines, we’ve just got so much competition within the squad now, which is brilliant and it’s where everyone wants to be. It will improve us as a team and as individuals too.”
Amy Jones’ story isn’t just about finally crossing the three-figure mark. It’s a story of perseverance, reinvention, and resurgence. As she strides out to open once again in Leicester, England won’t just see a batter at the top—they’ll see a tone-setter, a thinker, and a quiet leader ready to redefine her legacy.
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