Posted by England women’s team played a multi-format series against India to kick-start their summer of cricket and then played New Zealand for a white-ball series to wrap-up the summer; the side played a total of 8 ODI’S and 6 T20I’s and a one-off test in their 2021 home series.
England kick-started summer in whites as they took on India in a one-off test at Bristol, England batting first put up a giant total of 396/9d and bowled India out cheaply for 231 in the 1st innings and a win for the side was certain but the Indian women showed intent and outclassed England in the 2nd innings (follow on) as they fell a couple of wickets short from bagging a win in the one-off test and the test was drawn.
It was time for cricket in coloured uniform, 3 ODI’S on schedule that England comfortably bagged 2-1. The opening ODI saw England restrict India for a very total of 201 in 50 and England comfortably with 8 wickets and 15 overs in hand chased down 201 for a win. 2nd ODI was no different, England again did well to restrict India for a low total of 231 and chased it down comfortably with 5 wickets and 3 overs in hand. India staged a comeback in the 3rd and final ODI where they bowled England out cheaply for 219 and managed a win with 3 balls to spare and had a win to escape a whitewash to end the ODI’S.
England riding high on confidence bagged the 3 match T20I series 2-1. The opening T20I saw England dominate with a strong total of 177 and then restricted India for 54/3 in 8.4, it was a rain affected game that England won by 18 runs (DLS method). India responded early this time with a win in the 2nd T20I keeping the series alive, India set England a total of 148 to chase down but with great bowling effort restricted England to 140 and bagged a 8 run win. The final T20I, decider saw England’s A game on play as England chasing 153 for a win get it comfortably with 8 wickets in hand and bagged the multi-format series 10-6.
Sophie Ecclestone was brilliant throughout the series, topped the wickets chart in ODI’s and Test with 8 wickets each and in T20I’s she was the joint highest wicket taker with 3 to her name. With the bat for England, skipper Heather and vice-captain Sciver ensured wins in Test and ODI’s. T20I’s belonged to Danielle Wyatt, where she powered her side. Sophia Dunkley was handed her debut cap in Test and ODI and didn’t fail to impress at the highest level, a brilliant 74 in the one-off test saw England post a big total, batted a couple of innings in ODI’s and single handedly won a game.
After dominating India, England then locked horns with New Zealand. The series commenced with 3 T20I’s that England bagged 2-1. The opening T20I saw England dominate the day with 184 on board and then bowled New Zealand out cheaply for 138 to bag a emphatic win to get the series underway. New Zealand staged a comeback in the 2nd T20I with a win as they restricted England for a low 127 and then comfortably chased down the required for a win. The 3rd T20I, decider saw a thrilling finish where England chasing 145 for a win saw Sophia Dunkley strike a boundary with a ball to spare handing England the T20I series.
It was a big ODI series, 5 matches on schedule that England won 4-1. The opening ODI saw England post a competitive 241 on board and then bowled New Zealand out for 211 and bagged a great win. The 2nd ODI was a low scoring encounter that saw New Zealand restrict England for a low 197 and England in reply bowled New Zealand out for 169. England had things going their way but not in the 3rd; the 3rd ODI again was a low scoring encounter where England were bowled out for 178 and New Zealand in reply this time don’t repeat a horror show and bagged a win, wasn’t the cleanest of wins but with 3 wickets in hand they script a win. England got back to scoring ways in the final two, the 4th ODI saw New Zealand post a strong 244 and England in reply got to the required and with 3 wickets and 3 balls to spare bagged the win. England in their final game, end the series and summer on high as they posted a giant 347 in their 50 and then a top collective bowling performance saw New Zealand being bowled out for a low total of 144 and England bagged the series 4-1 to end the summer.
With the bat, skipper Heather Knight in ODI’s topped the runs chart and Tammy Beaumont was 2nd in ODI’s and lead the chart in T20I’s; just looked at her best as Tammy Beaumont finished the summer with a century. With the ball, Charlotte Dean topped the wickets chart in ODI’s with 10 to her name, (joint highest wicket taker) and in T20I’s Sarah Glenn and Tash Farrant topped the wickets chart with 4 each. Charlotte Dean was handed her ODI debut cap for England and was impressive, bagged 10 wickets in 5 matches with average of 19.20, a great find for England, very promising.
A dream run for England, they’ve been close and have been tested but have come victorious, a memorable summer of cricket for the English women’s team.
Bureau of sports 