England have finished top of the standings at the end of the World Cup group stages after comfortably beating West Indies by 92 runs. The win means they will meet fourth-placed South Africa on Tuesday in the first of the semi-finals.
A low-scoring affair in Bristol saw England battle to a total of 220, their lowest score of the tournament, on a tired, used pitch.
The West Indies made smart use of their large complement of spin bowlers but were guilty of some terrible fielding errors and a lack of discipline with the ball. They could have been chasing far fewer had they not bowled 24 wides, been tighter with their ground fielding and made better use of their available DRS reviews.
Lauren Winfield and Tammy Beaumont got England off to a solid albeit not explosive start in the opening powerplay with a stand of 47 before Winfield tried to pull a short ball and found the only fielder on the leg side. Sarah Taylor, having had a successful return to the team, was out first ball slashing at a wide one and edging to slip.
Beaumont and Heather Knight batted nicely together for 10 overs until Beaumont, who had played well for her 42, lost concentration and tried to paddle a full toss which she top-edged into her helmet and was caught by Merissa Aguilleira with the gloves. Explosive allrounder Natalie Sciver was out two balls later playing all round a tossed-up delivery by leg-spinner Afy Fletcher, who was the pick of the West Indian bowlers, finishing with three for 33.
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Knight scored her third half century of the tournament and it was an admirably controlled one which rebuilt England’s innings and allowed them to accelerate in their final 10 overs. It had been especially tough going in the middle overs with the ball gripping and turning but Knight was patient and waited for the inevitable bad balls. She was dismissed in the 44th over, bowled by an unplayable ball by Hayley Matthews which bowled Knight through the gate. Anisa Mohammed could have had the wicket of the England skipper a few overs previously had she chosen to review a not out lbw decision — replays subsequently showed the ball to be going on to clatter into the off stump.
In previous matches and on newer pitches, England have been able to play aggressively, with powerful shots down the ground and through the covers. Yesterday, they had to resort to more old school women’s cricket, relying on nudges into the gaps, nurdles to fine leg and a lot of sweeping. It was a laboured innings in which none of the England batsmen ever looked comfortable. They will be hoping for a far better batting track when they meet South Africa on Tuesday. England have been at their best in the competition when they have been able to play aggressively and post large totals. Knight believes that good wickets are important for showcasing the women’s game. “I hope we get a fresher wicket on Tuesday,” she said. “It’s important for the women’s game. It makes for a better spectacle.”
In this instance though, the modest score of 220 proved more than enough for England. West Indies openers Matthews and Kycia Knight got their team off to a decent start, but once Knight had been run out thanks to the fizzing arm of Fran Wilson, they lost their next eight wickets for 66 runs. Laura Marsh got the key wicket of Stafanie Taylor, who decided not to review an lbw decision that turned out to be missing leg stump.
Sciver had only taken one wicket in the tournament prior to this match but was instrumental in England’s impressive bowling display. Her accurate medium pace bowling saw her take three wickets for just two runs in her first 14 deliveries.
The first of those wickets came from her first ball when Chedean Nation mistimed a pull into the safe hands of Beaumont at deep mid-wicket leaving West Indies 89 for five. Two balls later she trapped wicketkeeper Aguillera lbw and then in her third over claimed the wicket of Fletcher, who played all round her pads.
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It was an impressively disciplined display from both the seamers and spinners in which England strangled West Indies who played out 234 dot balls from the 301 balls they faced. Seamers Katherine Brunt and Anya Shrubsole got nice shape which saw several plays and misses by the West Indies middle and lower orders and Jenny Gunn only went for 12 from seven overs.
So it is mission half accomplished for Mark Robinson’s team. Qualification to the semi-finals was the minimum expectation for England given how well resourced they are compared to others in the tournament, but finishing top of the group ahead of Australia after six straight wins is a fantastic achievement.
It means they play the first semi-final which has plenty of benefits — not only are they facing South Africa, probably the weakest of the semi-finalists — but it means they do not have any travelling before the semi-final and should they win it they have two extra rest days before the final.
Australia set up semi-final against India
Allrounder Ellyse Perry scored a near run-a-ball 55 and took two late wickets to confirm Australia’s second place in the World Cup standings with a 59-run win against South Africa at Taunton. Australia reached 269, with Nicole Bolton topscoring with 79, and then restricted South Africa to 210 after a fiery start by Laura Wolvaardt, who hit 71.
India’s prolific scorer Mithali Raj notched her sixth ODI century to help India to 265 against New Zealand at Derby before left-arm spinner Rajeshwari Gayakwad took a career-best five for 15 to dismiss the Kiwis for 79. Their 186-run win swept India into the semi-finals at their opponents’ expense.
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Winless Pakistan were beaten by 15 runs by Sri Lanka at Leicester. Sri Lanka scored 221 for seven and bowled out their opponents for 206.
Fixtures
Tuesday England v South Africa, Bristol
Thursday Australia v India, Derby
Sunday Final, Lord’s
ON TV TUESDAY
England Women v South Africa Women
Sky Sports Mix, 10am