England overcome early wobble to pass screen test
HEATHER Knight admitted England’s “desperation” to shine on the big stage was responsible for a toporder debacle before they recovered to beat Pakistan by 53 runs in the series-opening T20.
In front of a 12,241-strong crowd at Edgbaston and with the match televised on BBC Two, England’s bid to get on a run ahead of the Women’s T20 World Cup in October got off to a false start as they crashed to 11-4.
Knight provided some muchneeded stability to anchor the innings with 49 off 44 balls, putting on 67 with Amy Jones and 41 off just 19 deliveries alongside Danielle Gibson, who contributed a quickfire 41 not out.
In reply to England’s 163-6, Pakistan reached 77-3 at halfway before capitulating to 110 all out in 18.2 overs, with Sarah Glenn taking 4-12 and Jones following up her 37 off 27 balls with four important catches behind the stumps on her 100th T20 appearance.
Sophie Ecclestone, the women’s top-ranked T20 bowler, claimed 1-17 to equal Katherine Sciver-Brunt’s England record 114 wickets in the format.
Ecclestone also contributed 19 not out in an unbroken 44-run stand alongside Gibson to lift England beyond 150 after Knight had put on 67 with Jones, who followed up her 37 from 27 balls with four important catches behind the stumps.
“I think if we are honest the scoreboard flattered us, we did some good things but we were probably a little off the pace,” accepted Knight, pictured.
“It was desperation to get going, a big crowd and trying to impose ourselves on the game.
"I wouldn’t look too much into it, we want our players to be aggressive, just at the right time.
“Me and Jonesy tried to stay calm, we talked about opportunities to score if we batted for a bit. Danni Gibson was a clutch player at the end, showing her potential.”
Knight reserved special praise for Jones, adding: “She is an unbelievable cricketer that goes under the radar, some of the catches she pulls off is brilliant.
"We almost take that for granted.”
England were without Nat Sciver-Brunt, who sat out the contest after undergoing a minor medical procedure, and the absence of the star all-rounder was felt during a nightmare start.
But two experienced heads in Knight and Jones restored order before youngster Gibson seized the initiative in an eye-catching 21-ball innings containing eight fours. Pakistan were 57-2 at the end of the powerplay in contrast to England’s 29-2 at the same stage but the tourists never recovered following the run out of Sadaf Shamas for 35 off 24 balls.
England’s three-pronged spin attack of Ecclestone, Charlie Dean and Glenn put on the squeeze, with the latter the pick of the bowlers on her international return, having left the recent New Zealand tour early because of concussion.
“There were lots of learnings,” said Jones. “It’s good that it wasn’t a straightforward win.”
The three-match series resumes at Wantage Road in Northampton on Friday before concluding at Headingley next Sunday.