WI v Eng Women’s World T20 Review: England continues their love affair with dramatic finishes

England women made it three wins out of three at the World T20 with another tense win over West Indies in Dharamsala. England has narrowly escaped a defeat against hosts India at the same ground and the team almost lost the plot again before a wide and a bye sealed their win in a last ball thriller. West Indies chose to bat first on another slow pitch at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium.

Katherine Brunt (1/26) gave England a good start by removing opener Hayley Matthews (9) in the second over. Skipper Stafanie Taylor (35 off 47) and Shaquana Quintyne (29 off 28) steadied the ship for their team and also looked to pounce on any available opportunities. Taylor’s knock included 1 four however Quintyne was impressive in striking four boundaries to the fence.

Natalie Sciver (1/14) gave her team a much-needed wicket by removing Quintyne in the 11th. Deandra Dottin (22 off 30) joined her captain and batted sensibly, however, could manage just one four. Taylor was dismissed by Anya Shrubsole (1/11) in the 19th over while Dottin got out off the first ball of the last over bowled by Jenny Gunn (1/15). Stacy Ann-King (4 not out) and Britney Cooper (1 not out) took the score to 108/4 at the end of 20 overs.

English skipper Charlotte Edwards (30 off 29) and Tammy Beaumont (31 off 23) looked determined to avoid a tense run-chase like the previous game against India. Both spanked 5 fours each while Beaumont also hammered a six to take the score to 59 before Afy Fletcher (3/12) gave the Windies a breakthrough. She trapped Beaumont in front while Quintyne (3/19) did the same to Edwards- England’s score read 63/2 in 9.1 over at this moment.

The next over witnessed the wicket of Sarah Taylor (3) while the 13th over brought Heather Knight’s (9) downfall. Both these wickets were taken by Fletcher and brought the Windies right back in the contest. Taylor (2/18) removed Lydia Greenway (2) and Danielle Wyatt (0) in the 15th over to reduce England to 83/6. Sciver played a vital knock of 19 not out that featured a boundary however she didn’t get the strike for a while until the final ball of the match.

Quintyne took the wickets of Brunt (6) and Gunn (0) in the 19th over that got her team within touching distance. Dottin (1/20) had 7 to defend and she did well to remove Shrubsole (4) off the 4th ball that made the equation 3 off 2 with one wicket in hand for England. A wide was followed by a single from Rebecca Grundy (1 not out) that brought Sciver on strike with one needed. The Windies conceded a bye off the final ball that started the celebrations in the English camp. The result meant 4 teams are in fray for a semi-final spot now. India’s net run-rate is better than that of Pakistan and West Indies meaning they will need to beat Windies and if England beat Pakistan the home side will be through along with England.

Brief Scores:

West Indies Women: 108/4 in 20 overs (S Taylor 35; Shrubsole 1/11)

England Women: 109/9 in 20 overs (T Beaumont 31; A Fletcher 3/12)

Player of the Match: Tammy Beaumont (England Women)