LONDON, England – West Indies Women’s batting shortcomings were cruelly exposed by England Women as they slumped to a 38-run defeat at Lord’s, on Wednesday, their first of this year’s ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.
In what was expected to be a tightly contested top-of-the-table clash, England Women dominated first with the bat in posting a competitive 186 for seven in their 20 overs after being sent in to bat.
West Indies Women never seriously threatened their target after being 69 for four at the halfway stage, with Chinelle Henry’s unbeaten half century with the match already decided propeling them to 148 for five.
The victory was sweet redemption for England, who were knocked out of the 2024 World Cup by the West Indies.
The result also secured England’s spot in the semifinals, with the West Indies now needing to win their final match against Ireland to ensure a place in the knockout round of the competition.
West Indies Women actually started brightly when Chinelle Henry struck in the first over by removing Amy Jones for eight.
However, that wicket did little to stem the flow of runs as Sophia Dunkley and Danni Wyatt-Hodge added 30 runs in under three overs, before Dunkley was trapped lbw by spinner Ashmini Munisar to leave England 38 for two in the fourth over.
Wyatt-Hodge and Alice Capsey then gave the home side the advantage by putting on 66 runs for the third wicket.
Both players were quick to capitalise on anything short and wide, with Wyatt-Hodge bringing up her 50 off 32 balls by flicking Karishma Ramharack through the legside for a single.
But three balls later, Capsey tried to hit Ramharack out of the ground and was caught at long on by Henry after scoring 28 off 23 balls.
Following her dismissal, Wyatt-Hodge and Heather Knight, who made a breezy 43 off 26 balls with seven boundaries, upped the tempo by bludgeoning 40 runs in just four overs to see England progress to 144 for three in the 16th over.
When Player-of-the-Match Wyatt-Hodge was eventually run out for the topscore of 65 from 42 balls, which included eight fours, Knight ensured England finished with a flourish by scoring 41 runs off the last four overs.
Munisar was the West Indies’ best bowler with 2-42 from her four overs.
Needing to complete the highest run chase in a Women’s T20I at Lord’s, the West Indies struggled against England’s opening pair of Linsey Smith and Lauren Bell, crawling to 12 without loss after three overs.
Matthews struck Smith for two boundaries in the fourth over, but then lost her wicket in controversial fashion when she was adjudged to have nicked a delivery behind to the wicketkeeper although the review showed a clear gap between bat and ball.
Deandra Dottin clobbered England captain Charlie Dean for two fours and a six to start the sixth over, but fell trying to repeat another big shot off the last ball of the over, as West Indies slipped to 46 for two at the end of six overs.
The chase effectively came to an end after Campbelle was bowled by Sophie Ecclestone for 20 off 18 balls, and Dean bowled Jannillea Glasgow for six to see the Windies crumble to 69 for four at the start of the 11th over.
Henry and Jahzara Claxton added 63 runs for the fifth wicket, but needed eight overs to do so, with the required run rate ballooning to over 30 runs an over in the process.
Henry brought up her half century in the last over by hitting Smith for two huge sixes, to end on 51 not out off 30 balls, inclusive of four fours and two sixes.
Dean led the way for England with 2-31.
Summarised Scores
ENGLAND WOMEN 186-7 in 20 overs (Danni Wyatt-Hodge 65, Heather Knight 43, Alice Capsey 28, Sophia Dunkley 14; Ashmini Munisar 2-42) vs WEST INDIES WOMEN 148-5 in 20 overs (Chinelle Henry 51 not out, Jahzara Claxton 21, Shemaine Campbelle 20, Deandra Dottin 19, Hayley Matthews 14; Charlie Dean 2-31).
Toss: West Indies Women elected to field.
Player-of-the-Match: Danni Wyatt-Hodge.
Result: England Women won by 38 runs.
Umpires: Eloise Sheridan, N Janani.
TV Umpire: Nimali Perera.
Reserve Umpire: Kerrinn Klaaste.
Match Referee: Shandre Fritz.
