South Africa vs England: Lauren Filer hopeful of ODI series victory but will not underestimate hosts

Pace bowler Lauren Filer is hopeful England can wrap up another series victory but has said it is important they do not underestimate South Africa as the ODI leg hangs in the balance.

Filer has taken five wickets so far in the all-format series, including a three-for during England's six-wicket win in the second ODI match, and the 23-year-old is hoping her talent will get her picked for the 2025 Ashes as well as the Women's Premier League (WPL).

South Africa beat England in the opening ODI after losing the T20 leg 3-0, but a historic hat-trick from Charlie Dean inspired the tourists to level the 50-over format and set up a decider in Potchefstroom on Wednesday, live on Sky Sports.

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"Ever since I've come into this team, my role has been 'to run in quick and don't worry about runs, we want you to take wickets', that's what I want to do, and hopefully, long may it continue," Filer said.

"I've really enjoyed it and some of the pitches here have made me look a lot quicker with the bounces.

"Hopefully we can continue our performance and taking our win into Wednesday's game is going to be key.

"But we're not underestimating our opponent because we've been on the wrong end of the result [in this series].

"I always get asked about targets and how fast I want to bowl. In the last couple of games, I've hit 77[mph] and close to 78 so I want to try and do that more consistently.

"It's hard to put a number on it but I just want to bowl as fast as I can and hopefully over the next year or so I can do that.

"[Bowling around] 80mph would be great, but it's not something I'm looking at now."

With the Women's Ashes on the horizon, the fast and bouncy pitches in Australia will suit Filer's bowling.

The Somerset quick made her England debut during the 2023 edition where she took four wickets and is eager to replicate that success down under.

"I think obviously it's in the back of my mind a little bit with the Ashes coming up and I'm super excited to get out there," Filer added.

"I've never been or played there before, so it'll be interesting to see how I go on those pitches if I get picked."

Filer is one of the eight England players named in the 2025 WPL auction list which takes place on December 15 in Bengaluru - the same day England's one-off Test against South Africa begins.

Heather Knight, Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier, Danielle Gibson, Sarah Glenn, Sophia Dunkley and Paige Schofield are the other England players who could participate in one of the most lucrative women's cricket franchises.

"It's not in the forefront of my mind, we've got international cricket now and the Ashes coming up as well," Filer said.

"It would be amazing to get picked up, it's one of the biggest competitions for women's cricket and to be recognised as one of the fast bowlers that gets picked would be great.

"I think the auction is going to bring up a little bit of anxiety for a few players.

"Focusing on the Test match itself and playing for England is the main point so far but it'd be good to get picked up."

Looking ahead to Wednesday, Filer is keen for England to follow up Sunday's six-wicket success in Durban.

"As a team I think we did great, the spinners were world-class and picked up seven wickets between them," she said.

"With the batting, Bouchier and Tammy [Beaumont] set the pace and that's how we want to play as a team and how dominant we want to be.

"Hopefully we can clinch the series."

England in South Africa - full schedule

All times UK and Ireland; all games live on Sky Sports

T20 series

• First T20 (East London): England won by four wickets
• Second T20 (Benoni): England won by 36 runs
• Third T20: (Centurion): England won by nine wickets

ODI series

• First ODI (Kimberley): South Africa won by six wickets
• Second ODI (Durban): England won by six wickets
• Third ODI: Wednesday December 11 (12pm, Potchefstroom)

Test match

• One-off Test: December 15-18 (8am, Bloemfontein)

Who will the ODI series decider? Watch the third and final women's ODI between South Africa and England live on Wednesday from 11.40am on Sky Sports Cricket (12pm start). Stream cricket and more sport with NOW.

(c) Sky Sports 2024: South Africa vs England: Lauren Filer hopeful of ODI series victory but will not underestimate hosts