Saturday Nov 02, 2024
FT
Saturday Nov 02, 2024
Monday, 14 October 2024 00:54 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Maia Bouchier made a classy unbeaten 62 as England moved a step closer to the semi-finals of the Women’s T20 World Cup with an emphatic 10-wicket win over Scotland in a Group B match played at Sharjah yesterday.
Scotland were playing for pride in their final match of their first World Cup, and saved their best batting performance for last as they compiled 109-6 – their highest score of the tournament.
A measured 33 from Kathryn Bryce provided the bulk of the total, while younger sibling Sarah chipped in with 27 in Sharjah.
Sophie Ecclestone was the pick of England’s bowlers as she claimed 2-13, while Lauren Bell, in her first appearance at this World Cup, took 1-13.
England’s opening pair, Bouchier and Danni Wyatt-Hodge, made light work of the target, knocking off the runs in just 10 overs without much trouble. Bouchier, in particular, ruthlessly punished Scotland’s bowlers as she and Wyatt-Hodge both made unbeaten half-centuries.
The result means unbeaten England moves to the top of Group B on six points and are guaranteed to qualify for the knockout phase with a victory over West Indies in their final pool match on Tuesday.
England could still progress even if they taste defeat in that match, given that their net run-rate (NRR) was given a huge boost to +1.716 as they knocked off the runs with a mammoth 60 balls to spare.
