The England Women’s cricket team achieved an impressive victory against the West Indies, clinching a T20 series win with a commanding nine-wicket triumph at Hove. This match not only showcased their dominance in the series, which now stands at an unassailable 2-0, but also highlighted the stark difference in performance levels between the two teams. The West Indies, batting first, set a modest total of just 82 runs, a target that the English side easily surpassed, achieving their goal in a mere 9.2 overs.
The West Indies innings began poorly, with England’s opening bowler, Lauren Bell, making an early breakthrough. She managed to dismiss Qiana Joseph, who could only muster a score of four runs before being caught, highlighting the immediate struggle the visitors faced. The pressure mounted for the West Indies, as Hayley Matthews quickly followed suit, becoming a victim of the sharp bowling from Em Arlott. The Windies found themselves in a precarious position at 17-2, with the English bowlers dictating the pace of the game.
The situation continued to deteriorate for the West Indies when Sophia Dunkley executed a spectacular catch to dismiss Zaida James, a pivotal moment that left the tourists reeling. Efforts for a comeback were thwarted when the experienced Stephanie Taylor was caught for a duck, thanks to a routine catch taken by Charlie Dean off another delivery from Arlott. The visitors’ precarious predicament was further compounded by the rapid succession of wickets; Shemaine Campbelle fell to a catch at the boundary by Dean, again from Arlott’s bowling.
As the innings progressed, the fall of wickets did not relent. Mandy Mangru was bowled out by Dean on the very next delivery, marking an alarming 69-7 for the West Indies. Dunkley, who had been in excellent form, added to her earlier brilliance with another catch, this time dismissing Shabika Gajnabi, who managed to score 22 runs before being trapped by Issy Wong’s bowling. Ultimately, the West Indies limped to a meager total of 81-9, with Karishma Ramharack and Cherry-Ann Fraser at the crease, having scored just five and four runs, respectively.
England’s reply, however, was swift and decisive as they began their chase. Despite an unexpected setback where Danni Wyatt-Hodge was dismissed for a golden duck off Zaida James’ very first delivery, this solitary wicket was not enough to curb England’s ambitions. They surged to a comfortable victory by finishing at 82-1, comfortably eclipsing the West Indies’ score with substantial time to spare.
Leading the charge for England was Nat Sciver-Brunt, whose commendable unbeaten score of 55 propelled the team forward with composure. Alongside her, Dunkley contributed an important 31 runs not out, ensuring that England completed the match with ease. The ease of victory not only underlined the gap in the teams’ performances but also set the stage for the much-anticipated final T20 international at Chelmsford on Monday.
As cricket fans prepare for the upcoming match, they can look forward to watching and streaming England’s thrilling cricket action, including fixtures like the much-discussed Ashes series in Australia, which are available live and on demand through platforms such as TNT Sports and discovery+. The excitement continues to build as England aims to maintain their winning streak in the concluding match of the series.