Heartbreak of Lightning pair in T20 final
LANCASHIRE Lightning’s Sophie Ecclestone and Danielle Hazell suffered World Cup heartbreak as England lost to Australia in the T20 final.
The Red Rose spin duo had been key in the Lionesses reaching the showpiece match in Antigua and claimed the only wickets as the Aussies cruised to an eight-wicket victory with just less than five overs to spare. Ecclestone, who is only 19, finished with 1-12 from her impressive four overs, and Hazell 1-19 from her three, but it wasn’t enough to stop Australia knocking off the 106 they needed for victory after England were bowled out for 105 with two balls left of their 20 overs. And England captain Heather Knight had nothing but praise for Ecclestone.
“Obviously, Australia are the better team on the day, and congratulations to them,” she said. “We came with a lot of inexperience. Some of them have sat up brilliantly. Ecclestone bowled brilliantly, and it’s been a great experience for them.”
Meanwhile, former Lancashire captain Liam Livingstone top-scored for the England Lions with 35, but it wasn’t enough to stop them losing to Pakistan A by 187 runs in a 50-over match in Dubai.
Red Rose opener Alex Davies, captaining the side, made 17 as did Saqib Mahood, who also claimed 1-65 from his nine overs as Pakistan piled on 351-4 in their 50 overs, with England reduced to 164 all out in reply.