Women’s cricket has returned to England after a break of almost 6 months. While the host has begun their journey with a victory in Derby with top-order batter Tammy Beaumont being the star of the show, her counterpart Deandra Dottin’s innings went in vain.
As for England, it will be to retain the momentum going into the second match. It will be very unnecessary on their part to do any changes with their winning team. As far as the openers are concerned, Tammy Beaumont’s shot selection was fabulous in the last match as she returned to her favourite batting spot after not performing to her standards in the middle order.
Meanwhile, Danielle Wyatt will look to improve her recent stats of the last few months in the coming matches. In spite of constructing a well-played 50 run partnership with Tammy Beaumont, Heather Knight could not capitalise on her start. Amy Jones, who was playing her 50th T20I, looked comfortable in the middle order but again she got dismissed after getting a start.
These batters will look to put on good scores to their name. The problem for England is that they are over-reliant on Beaumont, Sciver, Knight. Someone has to play that big inning and the others have to bat around her and cannot afford to be dismissed.
Katherine Brunt and Nat Sciver stepped up with the ball after having failed with the bat. Brunt checked the flow of runs while Sciver picked up two quick wickets. We can expect runs from Sciver who was the main stalwart of the England batting in the recently held T20I World Cup. Shrubsole will look to come back from her last day’s performance. Ecclestone, the wonder-spinner never fails to make an impact, no matter what the conditions or the pressure that the game demands. Even the newcomer, Sarah Glenn can deliver from time to time.
Coming to the West Indies, they have positives to take from the previous game especially in the bowling department. The experienced hands of Shakera Selman and Shamilia Connell ensured that wickets and runs both were in check. Considering the powerplay overs, these two were relentless. The all-rounders in the likes of captain Stafanie Taylor and Hayley Matthews also got two wickets to their names. They would look to contribute with the bat as well. The spinners Afy Fletcher and Aaliyah Alleyne would look to make an impact.
West Indies, as a group, will look to reinforce and unleash their batting. Deandra Dottin (69 off 59 balls) looked lonesome as she battled through the innings. No batter even passed the double-figure score. Though the run-out of Lee-Ann-Kirby looked comical in the lighter side, West Indies have to reaffirm faith in themselves. They have a huge point to prove in their batting department.
The matches will continue at Derby, in the ‘bio-bubble’. It is a five-match series hence there is enough scope for West Indies to make a comeback. However, England will not let their chances slip, especially in a home series. Both teams have match winners. As the commentators say, “it’s still early days” in the series.
England Squad:
Heather Knight (C), Tammy Beaumont, Katherine Brunt, Kate Cross, Freya Davies, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Katie George, Sarah Glenn, Amy Jones, Nat Sciver, Anya Shrubsole, Mady Villiers, Fran Wilson, Lauren Winfield, Danni Wyatt
West Indies Squad:
Stafanie Taylor (C), Afy Fletcher, Hayley Matthews, Aaliyah Alleyne, Cherry Ann Fraser, Natasha McClean, Shemaine Campbelle, Shabika Gajnabi, Chedean Nation, Britney Cooper, Sheneta Grimmond, Karishma Ramharack, Shamilia Connell, Chinelle Henry, Kaysia Schultz, Deandra Dottin, Lee Ann Kirby, Shakera Selman
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