Reporter: First of all, what were your reflections on that game? It seemed to swing one way and then the other. How do you feel the team came out of it in the end?



Gaby Lewis:

Yeah, looking back at the innings break, I think we were disappointed with our batting performance. We had hoped to get closer to 140 or 150, but losing wickets during the powerplay made it really difficult for the middle-order batters to build any momentum; we simply didn't have a platform to launch from.



That said, I have to say I'm incredibly proud of the girls for how we approached the fielding innings. At halftime, the only thing I asked was that we make those 118 runs as hard as possible for them to chase. And I think we did exactly that. We left everything out on the field, and I'm really proud of the effort and energy we showed.



Reporter: Have you had a chance to speak to the team since? And what can you take away from this game?



Gaby Lewis:

I haven't actually spoken to the girls yet. I literally just came off the pitch. But when we do, I think the message will be to focus on the positives, learn from our mistakes, and identify where things went wrong in the batting innings. At a tournament like this, you can't afford to dwell on losses. You have to keep moving forward. If you look at our next three games, we've already beaten two of those opponents before, so there are definitely positives to build on. We'll take those and move forward.



Reporter: Can you talk us through the decision to hold Orla back after she bowled Capsie in that over? What was the thinking behind that?



Gaby Lewis:

It was a bit of a catch-22, to be honest. Sometimes, as a captain, you just have to go with your gut feeling. I spoke to Orla about it, and she felt the same. We thought that if the game got close, holding one of her overs back and squeezing a few others in between might give us a better chance of taking another wicket. Hindsight is a great thing, but at that moment, it felt like the right call, and she agreed. So that was the decision we made.



Reporter: Gabby, did you get any sense that Nat was struggling out there? She's retired hurt with a calf issue—did you have any idea what was happening?



Gaby Lewis:

No, not at all. I knew she'd picked up a calf problem in one of the domestic games—Orla plays for the Blaze with her, so I was aware it was an ongoing issue, but I didn't realise it was bothering her during the match. I just hope she's okay.



Reporter: Can you say a few words about Louise Little's innings, especially that 20th over? It really felt like it gave you something to bowl at.



Gaby Lewis:

Absolutely, 100%. That's exactly the kind of innings you pick her for. She's got incredible power, and to produce that under pressure, in those circumstances, was huge. It gave us real momentum going into the second innings. I know it wasn't a massive total, but it lifted the whole team and gave the girls a real boost heading into the fielding innings. She was brilliant in the field, too; her energy was infectious. She missed out in the last game, but she took it on the chin and came out all guns blazing today. I'm really happy for her.



Reporter: Speaking of brilliance in the field, the first catch you took must have been particularly satisfying?



Gaby Lewis:

Yeah, definitely. I haven't been playing a lot of cricket over the last couple of weeks because I've been injured, so in fielding, you really need volume to get your rhythm back. I'm just glad I managed to hold on to both catches, especially under the lights; they're always tricky. I was delighted once they stuck.



Reporter: This might be an obvious question, but I have to ask how important it is to have Orla on the side? She showed her all-round value today with bat, ball, and in the field.



Gaby Lewis:

Honestly, words can't really describe what she means to this team and the performances she consistently puts in. She's irreplaceable. She'd walk into any international side in the world, and we're so fortunate to have her. Whether it's with the bat, the ball, or even just her leadership and guidance, she was brilliant in helping young Alice Tector at the end there as well. Her presence is invaluable.