Windies Women start T20 World Cup bid with big loss

ENGLAND MADE a statement to the rest of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup with a comprehensive win over West Indies in Paarl yesterday.

After Sophie Ecclestone had led the way with the ball to hold West Indies to 135/7, England made easy work of the chase, with Nat Sciver-Brunt top-scoring with a classy 40 and both Sophia Dunkley (34) and Heather Knight (32*) also impressing.

The power of England’s top three has been much-heralded leading into the tournament, and Dunkley lived up to her reputation as she tore into the West Indies attack in the Powerplay.

Danni Wyatt did fall for 11 from 9, but England brought up their fastest 50 in a T20 World Cup inside five overs.

It was going to take something special to remove Dunkley, and Henry delivered, snaffling a stunning return catch to send the opener packing for 34 from just 18 balls.

But the quality of England’s experienced middle order took advantage of the platform laid for them, with Nat Sciver-Brunt and Heather Knight easing England to victory with five and a half overs remaining.

Earlier, decent knocks from Hayley Matthews and Shemaine Campbelle helped West Indies to a competitive total after winning the toss and opting to bat first.

West Indies were able to recall Stafanie Taylor after a long absence, but the veteran struggled for timing and fell for a 15-ball three in the seventh over.

“Feels good to be back but not the score I was looking for but this is what being out for four months feels like,” said Taylor after her scratchy innings.

Yet, with Matthews in the middle, West Indies looked in great shape, with the captain racing through the Powerplay.

“I thought the partnership between Hayley and I gave us the momentum for our batters to put runs on the board but our bowlers weren’t up to the mark today,” said Taylor.

Ecclestone struck to remove Matthews for 42 from 32, and a sharp run-out continued the flow of wickets, but Shemaine Campbelle (34) and Chinelle Henry (14) put together a partnership worth 41 runs to ensure the target would at least be competitive.

“Once we get partnerships going and a team effort we can topple India in our next matchup, but it was good today to see the batters getting runs on the board,” explained Taylor.

FINE FIELDING

Some fine fielding and a solid combined bowling display restricted West Indies at the death, as they finished on 135/7. And that total proved insufficient to test an in-form England on the day.

England’s women have never scored so fast in a T20 World Cup Powerplay as they did in Paarl, providing a clear example of their new uber-attacking style.

Quick between the wickets and with the range of shots to find the boundary at will, England’s top three fired them to 58/2 after six overs, with Dunkley the star.

The opener’s aggression and intent got England well ahead of the rate, and she was unfortunate to get out in the manner she did, smashing a ball straight back at the bowler that was brilliantly grabbed.

It was far from a faultless bowling display from England, with some early tournament rust seeing 18 runs conceded in extras, including 12 wides.

But the world’s top-ranked T20I bowler stepped up to keep things in check.

Ecclestone picked up the big wicket of Hayley Matthews to stem the flow of runs at a crucial point in the innings and returned at the death to bag two more.

Her figures of 3/23 made her the pick of England’s bowlers, and only fellow spinner Sarah Glenn returned a better economy rate in her four overs.

– Courtesy of icc-cricket.com