Jane Smit has been there and done that in a career that will this week include her fourth World Cup, in South Africa. Smit begins her fourth World Cup in South Africa this week |
She has experienced the highs of winning the tournament in 1993 and the lows of recent years when England "really struggled to even win a game".
And the wicket-keeper believes England now have a great chance of winning the tournament for a third time.
The extra coaching made possible by National Lottery funding, and an injection of young talent including the likes of all-rounder Rosalie Birch, batter Lydia Greenway and seamer Isa Guha means they have a great chance.
"We were right at the bottom at one stage, but inside the last two years we have beaten South Africa on home soil and then went over there and beat them again," Smit tells BBC Sport.
"And then last summer we beat New Zealand for the first time in 13 years. To beat them after all that time was a really big step for us.
"It made us realise that we actually can do this, that we can beat anyone if we play our best cricket.
"The balance of the squad is the best it's ever been - the young players coming through like Rosalie, Lydia and Isa have added a lot."
 |  Each player has improved in every aspect of their game because of the one-on-one coaching |
Smit, the most successful keeper in the world with 120 international dismissals, is also making improvements to her own game and plans to stand up to the stumps to the quicker bowlers.
Not only does it show the self-sacrifice that is a major part of this England unit, it also highlights the attention to detail they are paying in their bid for glory.
"We have all been encouraged to get individual coaches, so everyone is doing very specific work," Smit says.
"Each player has improved in every aspect of their game because of the one-on-one coaching, and I think we are now seeing the benefits of this.
 Smit holds England's younger players in high regard |
Smit has been working for the last eight months with Wayne Noon, who used to keep wicket for Nottinghamshire and still works with Notts as a full-time coach.
"I've done a lot of work with Noony and I will be standing up to the wicket to most of the bowlers at the World Cup," she says.
"I've only done it indoors, and it's quite bouncy at the training centre at Loughborough, so it's been difficult.
"It will be a big challenge for me, but I'm confident I can do it and it will have a big impact on the team."
After 13 years as an England cricketer, Smit is about to embark on her most important season.
| WORLD CUP SCHEDULE 22 March - 3 April:
Group matches 5,7 April:
Semi-finals, Potchefstroom 10 April:
Final, Centurion |
With a home Ashes series against Australia following the World Cup, the 32-year-old has a golden opportunity to add more shine to an already glittering career.
But do not think for a minute success will make her think about bowing out of the game.
"Retirement is not something I am thinking of. All I am thinking of right now is the World Cup and the big summer ahead.
"If I still think I am the best at what I do and I am still enjoying my cricket, I don't see any reason to reconsider my future."
And that has to be a good thing for England.
MMIX
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