Cricketer Kate Cross have praised England's youngsters. GETTY IMAGES

Kate Cross is optimistic about the future of the England cricket team. They are gearing up for this year's Women's Twenty20 World Cup in Bangladesh, citing a talented crop of young players as a source of excitement.

After sweeping Pakistan in the T20 series, England now aims to seal a 2-0 victory in the one-day international series against the tourists in Chelmsford on Wednesday. Cross managed two wickets to complete the white wash during the first ODI in Derby.

Following this series, England will engage in matches across both white-ball formats taking on New Zealand and Ireland before embarking on their journey to Bangladesh for the T20 World Cup in October. There, they will aim to topple champions and traditional rivals, Australia.

The 32-year-old has showered praise on the young players in the England squad, expressing confidence in their bright future and their potential to play a crucial role in securing overall victory at the World Cup.

"We've got a lot of youngsters coming through now," Cross said. "I think the way Dani Gibson's stepped up in that T20 series (against Pakistan), opening the bowling and playing the role of a number seven that we'd want is really impressive.


Cricketer Kate Cross has delivered glowing praise in the way of England's youngsters ahead of the T20 Women's World Cup. GETTY IMAGES
Cricketer Kate Cross has delivered glowing praise in the way of England's youngsters ahead of the T20 Women's World Cup. GETTY IMAGES


"She's worked really hard on her all-round game. When you've got someone like Nat Sciver-Brunt as your blueprint to follow for the world's best all-rounder, then it's nice to have someone to role-model that. I think the way Lauren Bell has worked really hard on becoming a better bowler and trying to swing the ball both ways now, not just be an in-swinging bowler and reduce her predictability for power-play bowling and stuff.

"The way she's gone out there and tried to do that in games is a really brave thing to do. Then we've got the likes of Bess Heath and Linsey Smith, who have had limited opportunities (over the) winter.

"But those people being around the squad just really excites me for what's to come this winter. We've already spoken about the calendar being absolutely packed, but you are going to need to rely on those people at some point. So it's a really exciting time for us as a group."

Following the T20 World Cup, England will embark on a tour of South Africa in November, leading up to preparations for the Ashes and the 50-over World Cup in India in 2025.