Inside the T20 World Cup: Lauren Bell and Linsey Smith create chaos.

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Search for Good Bad Billionaire wherever you get your BBC podcasts. Hello and welcome to Test Match Special at the Women's T20 World Cup. I'm Amba Sandhu, and today we're going behind the scenes of England's women and we're getting to know Lauren Bell and Lindsay Smith. How are you both?

Great, thank you. Thanks for having us.

I think we need to go straight into it. The nails. And I only say this because these are specific World Cup nails that you got done together. Talk me through it.

They are. When did we go? The other day, before the first.

Yesterday.

Yeah, yesterday. Kind of matching, matching as much as we can.

And as soon as you walked in, I noticed them. I'm still in polka dots, but they look great.

I'm normally just like a plain simple baby blue because I'm a bit superstitious around it all.

Are you?

But Lauren made me get a bit crazy with it for the World Cup, so yeah.

How do you feel?

Takes a bit of getting used to, but we'll see how the first game goes.

She's gone from never getting her nails done to getting her nails done with like Patterns on.

They look great. My mum's so proud, honestly.

Playing the World Cup, got an Elstern. Yeah. Well, you both know each other very well, so I have a little challenge. I want you to describe each other using 3 words. So let's go with you, Lauren. 3 words to describe Lindsay, the first 3 words that come to mind.

Mental.

Yeah.

Passionate. Yeah, and caring.

That's a lovely mix.

I was gonna say caring, bubbly, and playful.

Playful.

The first thing I chose was mental. I know, I know.

I think the mental needs an explanation.

Oh, she's just like, I wouldn't have it any other way.

Yeah, we're quite polar opposite. Are you? We call ourselves yin and yang, and it literally couldn't be further apart from two humans, really.

Is that why you get on though? I think so, yeah. Would you say you're kind of close in terms of the team setup as well? Would you go to each other for advice and things like that?

Oh yeah, always.

Yeah, totally.

My little rock.

Yeah.

Oh.

But it works well because sometimes I need a bit of Linz and sometimes Linz needs a bit of me, so it works perfectly.

The best kind of friendship.

Balance each other out.

Yeah, it's about balance.

I don't always read a room with this, with to be like, you know, Lauren, shut up. And Lynn sometimes needs a little bit of like, you're great, come on, this is going to be a great day.

Just a bit like, calm down.

What's the worst that's going to happen? Ooh, don't fall.

Being each other's hype pills.

Yeah.

I like this. Let's go back then. What are some of your earliest memories of cricket? Do you remember the first moment that you picked up a cricket ball or a bat?

I guess, like, as a kid growing up, most weekends were spent with my older brother just going down to watch my dad play at the local club, and then we moved when I was about 7 or 8, and we all kind of joined the local club together there and went down, like, every Friday evening, and yeah, just real nice memories from it all.

Yeah, so very much a family thing for you, Lindsay. What about for you, Lauren? Do you remember the first time?

Um, similar, not exactly, but I remember, like, it was very much the same. Like, what was more my older sister Um, she kind of just— we both were very sporty, played all sports, but Colette played like at our club and for Berkshire, like our local county. And so, and I was just like the little sister that followed her around, um, because I was just with my mum. Um, so yeah, I basically just followed whatever my sister did. So she played cricket, so I played cricket.

Did you play football as well growing up?

Yeah, I did. I probably played more football than cricket as a kid growing up, um, and then cricket kind of came into unfold.

Was there a moment where you kind of had to make a choice because I guess it might have got tricky balancing both?

Yeah, definitely. So I was playing for Reading in the academy and it was, I was 16 at the time and I think I, like, football's crazy. Like we had like contracts kind of thing. So I started the season with them and they were like, "Are you gonna play the whole season? Like, else we'll get someone else in." I was like, "No, I'll play. Like, I wanna play football. I wanna be a footballer." And then at like Christmas, I got offered my first, like, the KSL was a thing back then. So from the Southern Vipers, I got offered my first KSL contract, which was just like a month in August, but training was all winter and it was on a Saturday morning and Reading games on a Saturday morning. So it was the first time, like, my mum was like, Lauren, like, we literally can't get you in two places at once. You're gonna have to pick. Yeah, chose cricket and now we're here.

And for both of you, you say there, Lauren, that you wanted to be a footballer. Did you both know that you wanted to play cricket professionally? And that might seem like a silly question, but did that pathway exist in your mind? Did you think you could do it?

Yeah, I guess I kind of growing up always knew that I was like very sporty, very active, and, you know, wasn't the best at school, so like always just wanted to be playing sport. And I guess, yeah, cricket was my love back then, and I think growing up I always knew that like I really want to give this a shot and like play for England and whatnot, but obviously Growing up back then, like, it wasn't really professional, and I guess the only professional cricketers back then were the England team, and it wasn't really like a career as such back then. But yeah, it didn't take away the love and the drive I had to do it.

And for you, Laurie, was it, I want to be a footballer rather than cricketer?

Yeah, definitely. I had limited ambition to be a cricketer. I didn't know that I could be a cricketer, I think. I didn't watch it. I watched football. I mean, an 8-year-old probably told you I wanted to be a Premier League footballer, which I couldn't have been because I got you. But yeah, like, I watched football, I played it. Yeah, cricket was never like, "Oh, I want to be a cricketer." I just played for fun. I played all sports just for fun, just because I enjoyed it. Yeah, honestly, it wasn't too— even when I was playing in the KSL and I signed for Hampshire, I still didn't go, "I want to play for England, like, that's my real goal." I just played for fun and I kind of fell into, I guess, getting better and better. But yeah, at no point was it my goal is to play for England and that's what I'm going to do.

What about memories in terms of watching cricket? Were there any particular players that you perhaps looked up to, were kind of role models you almost emulated on the pitch that you wanted to be like?

I know you mentioned you watched a lot of football, but were there any games that you perhaps attended with your family or Not as much like watching, but I remember actually, it's quite cringy, but Charlotte Edwards actually came to my school for like one of the Chance to Shine like visits.

Yeah.

And I just remember being really excited thinking like, you know, when you have to see it to believe it. And I guess her coming to my little school in a little village like was really big for me. And yeah, it was really cool. And then I guess growing up playing like club cricket for Reading and had Ishiguro there who was obviously playing for England at the time. Yeah, I guess she was kind of like a role model for me and yeah, just getting to play with her and yeah, just experience that was really cool.

It's now full circle though, Linsey, because now of course you work under Charlotte. So what was that like? Is there a picture of a young Linsey with Charlotte?

Definitely.

Surely.

There must be. I know there is. We need to find that insert.

There is, like one at a game, I think. Like, you know, you get those little signature bats all signed and I think there was actually quite a few of I guess Lottie, I think Katherine's in it as well. Yeah, Ayesha's in it, so quite a few of them. Yeah, that's somewhere I'll try and dig it out.

We need to dig that photo up.

We need that now.

And what about for you, Lauren? Were there any players that you really looked up to when you were younger?

Probably as like a growing up, not so much. I didn't really watch. It's a shame now and it's why I care so much about it, but not really. But I was at the final at Lord's in 2017. That was probably the first time I'd seen women's cricket and I'd like, I guess, known who they were. And obviously Anya, that was like Anya's like big day and, um, it was really special. So I guess probably from then was when I realised like, oh, cricket is like quite cool and this looks like quite fun. But, um, yeah, and then obviously I ended up playing with Anya and she bowling coach and everything like that. So probably, yeah, but before that it was not not really as accessible as it is now.

You mentioned the 2017 final. Lindsay, where were you watching that 2017 final?

I was in the crowd, actually.

Were you?

I thought you might have been. Yeah, getting a bat signed. And the friend was like, "Oh my God!" Take me back to that moment for you.

It was just surreal. I think even just before the game had started, seeing the queues outside and how many people had actually come to watch, it was, yeah, just I guess probably kind of like brand new for England cricket at that time. I think it probably hadn't had that exposure or I guess that crowd and support for since forever really. So it kind of, yeah, felt quite special.

Can we talk about your nickname Lauren amongst the group? Because they call you— I said, do you have more than one?

I don't, if you're gonna say The Shard, I'm just gonna— Is that what you're gonna say?

Well, no, I've heard Belly's quite—

belly's a—

That's the classic.

And the Shard, is the Shard an actual one or is that come out of nowhere? Do you want to clear the air? Yeah, I've tried to lots of times.

Let's clear the air. No, we always call you the Shard. Do we?

Where has the Shard come from?

Honestly, I have no idea.

Rumours.

And it's everywhere. It's really followed me around my whole career.

Well, say to the camera.

No one calls me the Shard ever.

I call you the Shard.

We've got that on record now.

The Scout, honestly. Sorry, I don't— I really don't know where it's come from, but it's really followed me around.

And no one actually calls you the Shard within the group?

No one, ever. No?

Never.

Because I assume that's come from—

My height.

Your height.

Ah.

Ah.

Oh yeah.

But that's why I hesitated, because I was just like, there's clearly some unresolved drama here. So no, not the Shard.

Never been.

I want to take you back to your domestic debut because It happened in quite an unusual way, didn't it? You came on because there was a bit of a collision on the pitch. Tell us what happened.

Well, I actually wasn't there.

No.

So just miles away at home probably. And I got a call from the coach at the time and he said it was actually Charlotte Edwards again, had been in some sort of collision on the pitch and she'd got concussion.

Right.

So I think it was her and another girl were out injured for obviously concussion protocols where I think like 7 days. So they were like, look, next game in a few days, can you come down and join us? And I was like, yeah, sure, why not? So cool. And then yeah, played that game, went pretty well and yeah, I got kept on from there.

Amazing. Do you remember your debuts, Lauren? How do you look back at that time? I guess you spoke about the getting your contract after you were kind of playing football, but do you remember your England debut?

Yeah, I remember my England debut. I was lucky enough to debut in a Test. And it was kind of like the passing of the baton from like me and Wongie made our debut together and it was opening bowling and Katherine and Anya kind of both gave us our caps. So it was pretty special and I think it was like quite a big moment, I guess, for like kind of the end of their careers and the start of our careers and passing that on. So yeah, it was pretty cool and obviously to do it in a Test match was, yeah, it was pretty special.

Also worth saying, Lindsay, you started off as a seam bowler, didn't you?

I did, yeah. When did the transition happen that you were it's not going to be a commercial.

I know, I know.

You're not growing, it's probably not worth it.

Why am I not taller? The transition actually happened at uni, so I went to uni, yeah, and I just struggled with a few injuries here and there, wasn't really enjoying it, probably got a bit lazy at uni and just thought, I'll try something else, and yeah, tried spin and worked out quite well.

Realised it's less tiring.

Less tiring, well, I'd probably swing the ball more actually nowadays, but yeah, essentially the same thing, just off half a rope.

Let's talk about this World Cup then. Very special. It's a home World Cup and we keep hearing how special it is, but I guess for you as players, having your friends and family in the crowd, does anything beat that really?

No, there's like actually nothing better than knowing that all your family, all your friends, like they're gonna be at every game and like that first game in Ashburston, like all our families there, like everyone's families and like it just meaning so much for everybody and having like such massive support behind us. It's not just 11 of us out on the pitch, it's like, yeah, such an extended party, so it's so cool.

What about for you, Lindsay? What are you most looking forward to?

Yeah, I think just fully embracing everything that it's going to have to offer. I think, like you say, home World Cup, all the support, friends and family, and yeah, I guess hopefully rallying up loads of support. Obviously we've seen when the Lionesses and the Red Roses have kind of been the host nations, I guess the way that the whole country's kind of got together and supported that. So yeah, hopefully we can do things a little bit similar and yeah, just enjoy the whole experience.

Before we started recording, Lauren, you were here with your new camera, which you're gonna be taking around the World Cup and this summer as well. And let's talk about your socials. I know it's a bit of a talking point, but that really did blow up after you played in the WPL, which is a Women's Premier League in India. What was that experience like for you?

Yeah, I mean, we were there together.

Yeah.

So thankfully I had Linz. It was crazy. Like, there was nothing that could have prepared me for what we flew out to India and received, I guess. It was really, really cool, and it was like, yeah, I guess one of those things that you don't realize until you're in it what might happen and the impact it might have. But yeah, it's been really cool, and I guess I love that side of things. Like, some people don't want to, like, be taking pictures of everything and all of that, but I love socials. I love showing people what I'm up to and what I'm doing. Yeah, I think it's been really cool.

Was it millions of followers that you got overnight? Was that— is that true?

Yeah, like, it was like within the first week suddenly I had like a million and then I had 2 million. I'm like, yeah.

Were you taken aback yourself? Were you a bit like, what is going on?

We found it quite funny.

You should try walking around the streets with her, honestly. We're just walking 100 meters down the road and you get stopped every 5 seconds asking for Lauren Bell's picture and yeah, to be fair, like, it was just crazy.

Were you just acting security?

I was just head down. Is that what you were over there? But yeah, it was surreal. Like, again, something we've never experienced before.

What was the experience like in India? Because everyone talks about the crowds and the sheer amount of support that players get out there. So what was it like for you, Lindsay?

Yeah, it was amazing. Like, obviously toured there a lot with England and Yeah, I guess to be part of a home team for them is something really quite different. But yeah, just the support, like the noise, everything. Obviously cricket is so huge out there and yeah, it was really eye-opening, but a really cool experience to be part of.

We talk about this group and it does feel like this group is really special. It feels quite close-knit as well. Talk me through the characters because there seems to be a real mix of personalities. And I know I got you to describe yourself.

We've got the biggest mix here.

Yeah. No, but it's great 'cause it's about balance, right? So talk to me about those different roles in the team and what you do to switch off and the kind of things you do as a group outside of cricket.

Oh yeah, we definitely have a variety, that's for sure. But I love that. Like even like looking in, like it makes me proud to be part of this team because there's so many different people to inspire so many different people, like, which I find really cool. But then we all get on, like we've said it a million times, like me and Linz would not be friends at school. Like I am not, like Linz My friends would be like, "That she is so annoying." So annoying. Just, "Poot, that girl." But like, when you're in a team, like, you obviously all have a lot in common because you're playing in the same team, and that's what I love about this group. Like, everyone is so close. It's all very, like, yeah, like, we spend a lot of time— well, we spend, what, 80% of our lives together, so.

You can't swear anyway anymore. It's fine. I'm forced to deal with it.

What do you both do to switch off from cricket.

A lot of coffees, a lot of finding out new coffee spots.

Don't get me started on the coffee culture.

Yeah, we're obsessed.

Coffees, reading.

I've actually now been inspired to buy my own machine and— They've got you, Lindsay. Hook, line and sinker.

Get out my head! Yeah, the coffee connoisseurs have got you.

What else? A bit of reading. We do like reading. A bit of reading.

Kindle, book, bit of both.

Kindle, yeah, travel, the travel life.

Yeah, simple things really, but nice ways to just switch off.

I've got my camera now, so adventures.

Yes, I was going to say, is that going to be vlogging, Lauren? Is it going to be photos? What's the content going to be looking like this summer?

It's photos. It's going to be behind the scenes stuff that people don't see.

Yeah, all the good stuff. It tends to be behind the scenes.

Yeah, well, yeah, shut up. Is that hard to do whilst you are playing and training, or do you find it quite nice to document the journey and I guess this summer with the World Cup as well.

Yeah, I find it hard at training because I'm like, well, I find it hard to concentrate the best of times, so when I'm training, the last thing I need is the camera to distract me. So at training, I find the content harder, but outside of training, um, yeah, I love it. I think it's so cool, and like, we literally have the best job in the world. Like, the opportunities, the stuff we see, like, it's incredible, and I just feel like I love being able to show everyone that, and like all the sides to us that isn't just— like, I know that I follow people on Instagram and, like, follow other athletes, and I love seeing what they're up to that's not just their sport. And I mean, maybe no one cares, but I like to give people the option.

No, I'm sure they do. And before you go, fancy some quickfire questions?

Go on then.

Quickfire. Last gig/event that you went to?

Oh, I went to Luke Coombs. Ah, that was quite a while ago, but that was the last one.

Fab. What about for you, Lauren?

I think it would have been Oasis. Oh wait, no, I went to, um, at the golf Craig David played. I saw him recently, that was fun, in South Africa.

Very fun. If you weren't a cricketer, what would you be?

Oh goodness, not much.

Realistically or in a dream?

It can be whatever.

Oh, I'd love to be a singer.

Yeah, I love that.

I'd love to be like a detective or something. It's niche, but like, imagine. It is niche.

Yeah, it is niche, but from the character that Lauren has built of you, I'm not sure you'd be the most subtle Lindsay.

Fair enough.

Yeah. I'll just stick to cricket then. Detective Lindsay. What is the one thing that people don't know about you?

I don't think people would know that I have a degree in criminology.

Oh my God, why don't they know that?

That's our detective there. The fact she was able to keep that quiet.

Oh my god, I'm a terrible detective. You didn't even know that. It's a while, bruh. And you graduated?

Yeah, with a 2:1. I don't think even Natson or Ron didn't even know about that about me the other day. I don't think anyone knows that about me.

That's amazing. Thanks.

Well done.

I'm proud of you. I can't really top that.

Your reaction was great. What?

Lindsay had just said detective. I thought you were a detective and you were like, yeah, well actually, I'm actually a detective.

I'm actually a detective.

That was the ultimate plot twist.

Sorry. Yeah.

That was your moment.

I really don't think I can top that.

Final one.

If you could take one skill from your teammate, who and what would it be and bring it into your own game? Who and what would it be?

I'd like to hit sixes like Freya Kemp.

Yeah, nice.

Interesting. You're the second person to have said Freya's batting. Really? Yeah, yeah, yeah.

I was probably gonna say Nat's batting.

Oh yeah. Okay.

I like Nat's batting.

Yeah. So both of you.

I'll take that.

Working on our batting.

Yeah.

Watch this space.

Well, we can't wait to see you both hitting the ball like Nat and Freya. It's been an absolute joy. Thank you for being here. Remember, you can catch them both in action on Test Match Special via BBC Sounds. We've got every ball of every game live from the Women's T20 World Cup, and we'll see you there.

My favorite World Cup moment? It's the first World Cup I properly remember watching, Argentina '78. The ticker tape, Mario Kempes, Harry Hahn scoring goals from miles out, and always one of my favorite World Cup moments, Archie Gemmell's great goal for Scotland against the Dutch. What makes the World Cup such a special tournament is the atmosphere, the color. It is a meeting of the nations, Out of people who love football. The FIFA World Cup 2026.

Listen on BBC Sounds.

Take the leash off your laptop with the processor that gives you long battery life. Work on the go. Jump between back-to-back calls. Stay locked in from brewing morning coffee to burning the midnight oil. Get maximum performance. Even when unplugged. Finally, the freedom to move across the room or across the world is here. Snapdragon. That's how.

He's widely recognized as one of the greatest footballers in history.

He's won the prestigious Ballon d'Or award 5 times.

He's the all-time leading goalscorer in professional football.

And according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, he's the first active footballer in history to achieve billionaire status.

Guess who we're talking about yet?

That's right. Good, Bad Billionaire is exploring the life and fortune of football icon Cristiano Ronaldo.

That's Good, Bad Billionaire from the BBC World Service.

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