Girls’s T20 World Cup: Nat Sciver-Brunt stars as India win boosts England’s preparation

ICC Girls’s T20 World Cup warm-up, Cardiff

England 171-6 (20 overs): Sciver-Brunt 57 (45); Patil 2-29

India 166 (19.5 overs): Ghosh 68 (36); Smith 3-42

England gained by 5 runs

Scorecard

Nat Sciver-Brunt scored 57 as England concluded their T20 World Cup preparation by holding their nerve in an exciting five-run win over India.

Chasing 172, India slumped to 87-5, and with an unlikely 38 required off the final two overs, Richa Ghosh whacked 21 off Issy Wong’s penultimate over after which a six and a 4 off Linsey Smith to go away six required off three balls.

However Smith gained the battle to have Ghosh stumped for a sensational 68 from 36 balls after which eliminated Renuka Singh Thakur to safe a confidence-boosting win earlier than the T20 World Cup opener in opposition to Sri Lanka on Friday.

Sciver-Brunt spent welcome time within the center, and alongside Amy Jones’ fluent 64 on the high of the order and a late cameo of 30 from 12 balls from all-rounder Dani Gibson, England posted a aggressive 171-6 in Cardiff.

The skipper had made simply three within the earlier warm-up in opposition to Australia, which England misplaced by 5 wickets, however has now alleviated some issues about her lack of sport time earlier than the event.

The Australia match on Monday was Sciver-Brunt’s first worldwide look this summer time as she has been managing a calf damage.

After Danni Wyatt-Hodge was dismissed early once more for simply three, the newly promoted Jones and Sciver-Brunt added 70 for the second wicket, earlier than India wrestled again some management within the center overs with three fast wickets.

Jones was bowled by Shafali Verma earlier than Alice Capsey and Freya Kemp additionally fell cheaply to spin, however the type of power-hitter Gibson on the demise was one other tick within the field for head coach Charlotte Edwards’ gameplan.

Her counter-attacking knock included 4 fours and a six with 19 coming from the ultimate over to make sure England didn’t lose momentum after Sciver-Brunt fell with seven balls to go.

The hosts once more rotated their bowlers, resting seamer Lauren Bell and giving extra overs to Tilly Corteen-Coleman, Wong and Lauren Filer, whereas reserve keeper Capsey changed Jones behind the stumps.