An unbeaten 67-run partnership for the fourth wicket between veteran all-rounder Nat Sciver-Brunt and captain Heather Knight helped England defeat the West Indies by seven wickets in an ICC Women's T20 World Cup Group B match in Paarl on Saturday. (More Cricket News)
The two England stalwarts took advantage of the below-par West Indies total of 135/7 to launch a concerted effort when they came together at the crease, finishing the match in the 15th over, with Sciver-Brunt scoring an unbeaten 40 and Knight remaining not out at 32.
While West Indies were not really off to a poor start after electing to bat, their batting floundered in the middle overs with no one able to give them the push in the death overs.
Advertisement
Skipper Hayley Matthews scored a quick-fire 42 (32 balls) at the top of the order, while Shemaine Campbelle made a laboured 34 as West Indies moved to a modest 69 for 2 at the start of the 11th over.
But just when the team wanted someone to give the scoreboard a boost after Matthews departed following a Sophie Ecclestone delivery thumping the West Indies opener's knee roll, there was no worthwhile partnership to guide the Caribbeans to a competitive total.
Sophie emerged the most successful bowler for England, taking three wickets for 23 runs in her four overs.
England were off to a confident start with opener Sophia Dunkley smashing an 18-ball 34 studded with four boundaries and a six, as she made her intentions clear. Though Danny Wyatt (11) and Alice Capsey (13) went cheaply, there was never a doubt about their supremacy.
Advertisement
Sciver-Brunt and Knight capitalised on a far-from-impressive West Indies bowling attack, putting it to the sword and smashing boundaries at will.
Sciver-Brunt smashed six boundaries and a maximum while her captain took just 22 deliveries on her way to an unbeaten 32, studded with four boundaries and a six.
Brief scores:
West Indies Women: 135 for 7 in 20 overs (Hayley Matthews 42, Shemaine Campbelle 34; Sophie Ecclestone 3/23) lost to England Women 138 for 3 in 14.3 overs (Sophia Dunkley 34, Nat Sciver-Brunt 40 not out, Heather Knight 32 not out) by seven wickets.
