Women's T20 World Cup: Heather Knight hits century as England crush Thailand
- Published
Highlights: Knight century leads England to victory over Thailand
ICC Women's T20 World Cup, Group B, Canberra: |
England 176-2 (20 overs): Knight 108*, Sciver 59* |
Thailand 78-7 (20 overs): Chantam 32, Shrubsole 3-21 |
England won by 98 runs |
Captain Heather Knight hit her first Twenty20 international century as England crushed Thailand by 98 runs in the Women's T20 World Cup at Canberra.
Knight's unbeaten 108 from 66 balls, and Natalie Sciver's 59 not out, helped England recover from a dreadful start that saw them fall to 7-2.
Knight and Sciver's unbroken 169-run stand - the highest partnership in T20 World Cup history - helped England motor to 176-2 from their 20 overs.
Thailand collapsed to 78-7 in their 20 overs as they suffered consecutive losses in their global tournament debut.
This was a good win for England after they lost their opening Group B match to South Africa.
It will also help boost their net run-rate, which could be crucial as the tournament develops.
England, now top of their group, play Pakistan on Friday, while Thailand face South Africa on Sunday.
Knight leads from front
England's Jones stumped off second ball of day against Thailand
Knight is now the only female player - and the first England player - to hit a century in Test, one-day and T20 cricket.
It was a real captain's innings, leading from the front when her side tripped up after being asked to bat first.
Amy Jones fell to the second ball of the innings, stumped as she came forward to Nattaya Boochatham, before Danni Wyatt hoicked her first delivery to the cover fielder.
But Knight and Sciver, so often England's key players, were composed at the crease. Sciver counter-attacked first, driving beautifully, before Knight hit out.
She hit 13 fours and four sixes - the highlight a thunderous sweep over fine leg - and she and Sciver rotated the strike well to keep the run-rate accelerating.
Knight brought up her century with three balls remaining, raising her arms to the ground in celebration, before slapping the next delivery over long-on for yet another six.
For Sciver, it was a third half-century in four innings. For Knight, it was a statement of intent about what she expects from herself during this World Cup.
Knight in shining armour - key stats
Knight passed 1,000 T20 international runs in her innings
She is the only England player - male or female - to make a century in all three formats
It is the first time an England player has made a century in the T20 World Cup
Knight is the third female England player to make a T20 international century, after Tammy Beaumont and Danni Wyatt
Knight's four highest T20 scores have come at Canberra
Pressure tells on Thailand
It was ultimately a routine win - Thailand never really got going with the bat - but England's fielding, in particular, was improved from their opening loss to South Africa.
The wickets were shared around, with 3-21 for seamer Anya Shrubsole, and Sciver claiming 2-5 from her two overs.
The batting was where the gulf between the two sides really showed. Thailand could not find the boundary or rotate the strike, getting bogged down by the spinners, and the pressure ultimately told.
For England, there will be sterner tests but, after a chastening opening loss, runs for Knight and Sciver will be a welcome boost for the side.
Wyatt departs for a golden duck as England struggle early on