Dominant: England powered to an opening win in South Africa
(Picture: Getty Images)England began their Women’s T20 World Cup campaign with a comfortable seven-wicket win against the West Indies.
Windies won the toss and chose to bat first and captain Hayley Matthews dominated the opening stages, smashing 37 from 23 balls by the end of the powerplay.
Sophie Ecclestone found the breakthrough to dismiss Matthews for 42 with her first of three wickets, to shift momentum England’s way, before two run outs helped restrict the West Indies to 135 for seven.
Sophia Dunkley’s quickfire 34 from 18 set the tone for England before she was brilliantly caught and bowled by Chinelle Henry.
But Nat Sciver-Brunt and captain Heather Knight put on a partnership of 67 to see England home with 33 balls to spare.
“We know we weren’t, I guess, at our best in the whole of the game, but that’s the intent and bravery that we want from everyone so we’re very happy with that," all-rounder Nat Sciver-Brunt told a post-match press conference.
"The energy and the feel around the group is probably the best that I’ve felt as well, it feels like we’re in a really good place.
"We have found a new way of playing, or I guess a new mindset - everyone is capable of playing in that way, but allowing ourselves for it to be okay to play that way as well, I guess that freedom has really allowed us to switch a little bit.
"I guess it’s since Lewy (head coach Jon Lewis) has come in, he’s brought that feeling of allowing us to fail for the success to happen.
"The way he wants us to play, he believes truly that can be successful at a T20 World Cup and all the players have bought into that, so we’re excited."
