England women’s cricket World Cup campaign marked by spin dominance and batting inconsistency
England’s women have had a topsy-turvy start to the women's cricket World Cup.
Here, Sports News Blitz’s Oliver Shorland looks at three key talking points from the campaign so far.
Spin to win
A few eyebrows were raised when England announced their 15-strong squad for the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup, with top seam options Kate Cross and Maia Bouchier missing out in favour of a spin-heavy attack to suit the conditions.
However, the decision seems to have paid off so far with England’s spinners on top in India.
Linsey Smith was the pick of the bunch against South Africa, picking up three wickets in four overs, allowing just seven runs in that time.
The Sussex bowler, who only made her ODI debut against the West Indies this year, was making her ODI World Cup debut but showed no sign of nerves, dismissing both of South Africa’s openers for just five runs apiece.
Smith wasn’t the only spinner getting in on the action, as the ever-present Sophie Ecclestone took two for herself whilst Charlie Dean mopped up the remainder of the tail end to restrict South Africa to just 69 runs.
The pattern continued against a stubborn Bangladesh side with spinners taking all but one of the Tigresses’ wickets.
This time it was Alice Capsey who made the breakthrough for England, bringing a gritty knock of 60 off 108 from Sobhana Mostary to an end to help keep the opposition total to 178.
Ecclestone also starred, the Lancashire bowler picking up a tidy three-wicket haul for an economy of just 2.40 across ten overs.
Contrasting performances
England looked dominant in their opening game in Guwahati, completing a 10-wicket victory against South Africa in a game they had hoped would set the tone for the tournament following their crushing 16-0 Ashes defeat earlier in the year.
Despite this, England’s batters looked somewhat shaky as they took victory against Bangladesh with four wickets in hand.
Tammy Beaumont and Amy Jones looked assured in their 73-run partnership, which took England to victory against South Africa.
This was in stark contrast to what unfolded on Tuesday, October 7, however, as both were dismissed by the seventh over versus Bangladesh.
Former captain Heather Knight was able to remain the constant throughout England's innings as the middle order slumped to a combined score of 33, leaving tailenders Capsey and Dean to back up Knight's hard-fought 79.
England were eventually able to get over the line. However, the likes of Sophia Dunkley and Emma Lamb both falling victim to the bowling of Fahima Khatun in quick succession will be cause for concern for coach Charlotte Edwards as they look to face up against joint co-hosts Sri Lanka on Saturday.
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Knight in shining armour
Tuesday saw Heather Knight’s first competitive innings since suffering a hamstring injury picked up in May against the West Indies, and what a knock it was.
The former England captain showed great leadership and determination to drag her team to victory on Tuesday with an unbeaten total of 79 off 111, scoring nine boundaries in the process.
Knight took her time to get into the game as England looked all at sea at 106-6 at one stage.
However, a partnership with Dean saw the England veteran spark into life, starring for her country as she has done many times over her storied international career, demonstrating how integral she still is to this England side at the age of 34.
