Women’s T20 World Cup: England beat West Indies in opening game as batters and Sophie Ecclestone impress | Cricket News

England batted with the aggression they had promised as they began their bid for a first T20 World Cup title since 2009 with a rampant seven-wicket win over 2016 champions West Indies.

Sophie Ecclestone’s 3-23 helped England limit West Indies to 135-7 in Paarl, while Sophia Dunkley (34 off 18) got the run chase off to a rapid start and then watched on as skipper Heather Knight (32no off 22) and deputy Nat Sciver-Brunt (40no off 30) took the team to their target with 33 balls to spare.

Knight had said in her pre-match press conference, and again at the toss, that England would continue the attacking mindset they have adopted since Jon Lewis became head coach in November and that proved the case as they scored at a rate in excess of 9.5 runs an over.

Ecclestone picked up the key wicket of West Indies skipper Hayley Matthews, lbw for 42 from 32 balls, after the batter had propelled her side to 69-1 from 10 overs and the England spinner went on to pin Afy Fletcher (10) and Zaida James (2) lbw in the 19th over as the Caribbean side faded in the final half of the innings.

A target of 136 did not challenge an emboldened England batting unit, one which thumped 246 in a warm-up fixture against South Africa earlier this week, with Knight sealing an emphatic victory by striking Chinelle Henry for six over long-off.

More to follow.

What’s next?

Monday 13th February 12:30pm

Wednesday 15th February 12:30pm

England return to action against Ireland in Paarl on Monday (1pm start) and will not be taking their opponents lightly after they shocked tournament favourites Australia in a warm-up match. West Indies, meanwhile, play India on Wednesday.

India begin their campaign on Sunday against Pakistan (1pm) before Sri Lanka, who stunned hosts South Africa on Friday night, look to make it two wins from two when they meet Bangladesh (5pm).

Sunday 12th February 12:30pm

Sunday 12th February 4:30pm