Captain Knight leads from front in dramatic super-over triumph
For the second day running, England captain Heather Knight posted the highest T20 score of her career as the tourists won a thrilling encounter with Australia in Canberra.
After losing their T20 tri-series opener to India on Friday, Knight secured England’s first win under new coach Lisa Keightley in a super over, which will help build confidence ahead of the T20 World Cup this month.
Knight scored a career-best 78 from just 45 balls to steer England to 156 for four, but some big-hitting by Australia’s tail-enders took the contest to its dramatic conclusion.
Australia managed eight without loss from the super over, before Knight struck back-to-back boundaries and England collected their first win of the series with two balls to spare.
On Friday, Knight was dropped three times during her 67 against India, but she swung freely again against Australia. “It was an amazing game of cricket. I thought we’d won it, then I thought we’d lost it, and it’s credit to Australia for taking it to a super over,” Knight said. “We started slightly timidly with the bat, but we know Danni Wyatt and Amy Jones are class acts at the top of the order.”
Jones was run out for just 10, and Wyatt made 17 before Knight entered the fold. Fran Wilson finished on an unbeaten 39 as England set Australia 157 to win at the Manuka Oval.
Opener Beth Mooney hit a fine 65 in the hosts’ run chase, but Australia soon collapsed to 114 for seven, before rallying with some late hitting from debutant Annabel Sutherland. The 18-year-old – daughter of former head of Cricket Australia, James Sutherland – scored 22 not out from 11 balls as
Australia required 15 from the last six balls.
Along with Delissa Kimmince (15 not out), Australia were within sight of victory. But with the hosts needing three from the final delivery, they could scramble only two to tie.
Sophie Ecclestone restricted Australia’s Alyssa Healy and Ash Gardner to just eight in the super over, before Knight guided England home.
“For someone who’s so young, Sophie consistently stands up and delivers and that’s a great reflection of her talent,” Knight said.
Australia will face India today before the T20 tri-series moves to Melbourne, while England face India on Friday and Australia two days later.