England have launched their T20 World Cup bid with a snug seven-wicket win in opposition to the West Indies in South Africa.
The West Indies gained the toss and selected to bat first in Paarl on Saturday, with captain Hayley Matthews dominating the opening phases, smashing 37 from 23 balls by the tip of the powerplay.
But England’s excellent spinner Sophie Ecclestone discovered the breakthrough to dismiss Matthews for 42 – the primary of her three wickets – to shift the momentum England’s approach, earlier than two run outs helped prohibit the West Indies to 7-135.
Sophia Dunkley’s quickfire 34 from 18 then set the tone for England earlier than she was brilliantly caught and bowled by Chinelle Henry.
But Nat Sciver-Brunt, with an unbeaten 40 off 30 balls, and captain Heather Knight (32no off 22) placed on a partnership of 67 to see England house simply with 33 balls to spare.
“They put us under pressure, it wasn’t our best fielding and bowling but our attitude with the bat was fearless, what we want,” mentioned Knight.
“We want to take the game on and entertain, go hard at the top and we’ve got the depth and the smarts in the middle to adapt if we need to. Today was a big step to take that mindset into the big game when there are some nerves around.”
Sciver-Brunt added: “It was a bit of a two-paced pitch, but I was very boundary-focused.
“We need to stroll in direction of the hazard. Ireland’s subsequent, so it’s going to be a lot of the identical, hold that communication going.
“We’re having fun out here, want to keep that going.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
