England march on
With the odd stutter… It was a puzzling display from both sides, Ireland and England’s top orders excelled in the PowerPlay overs but then both batting line-ups sort of fell in a heap afterwards. England had the nouse to see it over the line comfortably enough in the end and as Captain Heather Knight mentioned in the post match presser a moment ago – it’s two points in the bag as they roll on to face India in Gqeberha on Saturday.
We’ll be back to OBO that one but that’s all from me today, thanks for tuning in and goodbye!
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Ireland’s captain Laura Delany speaks:
We’re disappointed but fair play to England. There are positives to take but we need big partnerships in the next game. Our top three batted with great intent, the next step is to keep the momentum going and give the middle order a platform. We are looking forward to playing Pakistan in the next game. It’s brilliant to have family away from home being so noisy in the stands, it’s great to have them supporting us.”
England skipper Heather Knight:
Ireland came at us hard and our spinners brought it back form us. We’ve got three world-class options (Charlie Dean, Sarah Glenn and Sophie Ecclestone) - off-spin, leg-spin, left-arm. Alice broke the back of the chase, we made it hard for ourselves towards the end but it’s two points.
In T20 cricket, it’s a bit of a mantra, take the game on, we’ve got the depth to go hard and get ahead of the game. India (next up) is going to be a great game.
Capsey’s record equalling 21 ball fifty broke the back of the chase and put the game beyond Ireland. Special mention too to Sophie Ecclestone who bowled extremely well, as ever, her three wickets and miserly spell took the wind out of Irish sails.
Alice Capsey is Player of the Match
I’m loving it, to play for England in a World Cup is the dream, isn’t it? I look to put pressure on the bowlers at every opportunity… we’re high on confidence, we’ve got India next which will be a great game. The wickets here in South Africa are a little different, staying low and the ball holding in the surface so I had to change my game a little.”
England win by 4 wickets!
Katherine Sciver-Brunt finishes it off finally for England. They get home in the end, at 70-1 they were all smiles but a flurry of wickets saw their swagger turn into something of a stutter. Even so, Heather Knight’s side sit atop their table. Job done.
Two wins from two! 🙌#T20WorldCup | #IREvENG pic.twitter.com/5kiYNZNwD0
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) February 13, 2023
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WICKET! Amy Jones c Delany b Murray 12 (England 103-6)
Errr, what exactly is going on here? Amy Jones slaps Delany down the ground to make it three to win, and then she tries to repeat the shot and is caught in the in-field.
WICKET! Heather Knight b Murray 14 (England 98-5)
Heather Knight is bowled by a deflection off her leg, the ball trickling into the stumps and plooping off the bail. England hardly finishing this in style…
13th over: England 97-4 (Knight 14, Jones 7) Just a single added, England happy to get some time in the middle it seems, Alice Capsey was playing earlier like she had a prior engagement to get to.
12th over: England 96-4 (Knight 14, Jones 6) Three singles notched before Knight plays a lovely lofted drive over the covers to collect her first boundary, high elbow and nifty footwork on display.
11th over: England 89-4 (Knight 9, Jones 4) Jones and Knight have calmed things down after the flurry of runs and wickets. 17 needed for England to secure the win.
The last time these two sides met, Danni Wyatt opened the bowling for England!#BBCCricket #T20WorldCup #IREvENG pic.twitter.com/uhH8Mme0tE
— Test Match Special (@bbctms) February 13, 2023
10th over: England 86-4 (Knight 8, Jones 2) Amy Jones joins her skipper in the middle and is off the mark with a flat-batted swipe. Ireland have rallied in the last ten minutes but England should still have this sewn up in the next few overs. They need 20 runs to win.
WICKET! Nat Sciver-Brunt c Hunter b Murray 5 (England 81-4)
England lose their fourth wicket as NSB gets a thick edge and is well caught. I don’t think they are going to mess this up…
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9th over: England 81-3 ( N Sciver-Brunt 5, Knight 5) Leah Paul comes on and keeps things tighter than they have been, just four runs off the over.
8th over: England 77-3 ( N Sciver-Brunt 3, Knight 3) England’s captain Heather Knight joins the talismanic Sciver-Brunt at the crease. Knight is busy and picks up a couple of quick singles that, unlike Wyatt’s - were there for the taking.
WICKET! Danni Wyatt run out (Waldron) (England 73-3)
England lose their third wicket as Danni Wyatt suffers a brain fade and runs herself out by poking a ball straight to cover and haring off for a single that was never there.
7th over: England 73-2 (Wyatt 16, N Sciver-Brunt 2) Nat Sciver-Brunt replaces Capsey and is off the mark with a push down the ground, her 2000th T20I run.
WICKET! Alice Capsey c Paul b Kelly 51 (England 70-2)
A fine catch on the long-on boundary brings an end to a scintillating knock.
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6th over: England 69-1 (Wyatt 14, Capsey 51) Richardson continues and it is a bit of a horror over, she drags down twice and is belted for two fours through the covers by Capsey. A waist hight full toss is then mullered for six by Capsey – that brings up Alice Capsey’s fifty – off just 21 balls. That’s the joint fastest T20 fifty from Capsey, she now shares the record with Alyssa Healy and Sophie Devine.
5⃣0⃣ for Alice Capsey 👏 pic.twitter.com/HtlPjIROk6
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) February 13, 2023
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5th over: England 53-1 (Wyatt 13, Capsey 36) England hurtling along at more than ten an over in Paarl. Arlene Kelly is into the attack and she serves up a rank full-toss that Capsey leathers for four more. That’s poor from Kelly but she’s unlucky with the next one, a length ball is under-edged by Capsey and the ball scooches away for another boundary. England in a hurry here.
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4th over: England 43-1 (Wyatt 12, Capsey 27) Eimear Richardson is summoned but the spinner can’t stem the flow, Capsey reverse-sweeps for four before pummelling back-to-back boundaries as Richardson drags down. Blistering stuff from 18 year old Alice Capsey.
3rd over: England 29-1 (Wyatt 11, Capsey 14) Capsey latches onto a short ball from Prendergast and smokes it away for four square of the wicket. A single brings Wyatt back on strike and she does the same, rocking back and finding the fence with a powerfully struck pull-shot. Problems for Ireland.
2nd over: England 20-1 (Wyatt 7, Capsey 9) Jane Maguire shares the new ball and Alice Capsey puts her under pressure straightaway, a drive through the covers is followed by a meaty back foot punch down the ground. Consecutive boundaries to Capsey. A single brings Wyatt on strike… and she smears over long on for a huge six! England rattling away in pursuit of this small target.
WICKET! Sophia Dunkley c Kelly b Prendergast 4 (England 4-1)
Now then. Sophie Dunkley blocks out three dots off the probing Prendergast before lofting a boundary over wide mid-on. She’s out the next ball though! Plinking to mid-on where Arlene Kelly snaffles the catch. Dunkley is livid with herself. Alice Capsey is the new batter, stood miles outside of her crease and oozing confidence, she’s off the mark straight away.
1st over: England (Wyatt 0, Capsey 1)
Barely time to boil the kettle as the players emerge in Paarl. Orla Prendergast is going to start with the ball. Sophia Dunkley and Danni Wyatt mark their guards. Off we go.
Ireland are all out for 105! Join @Jimbo_Cricket for England's response as they look to secure their second win at the Women's T20 World Cup https://t.co/esXeyT7MJ9 pic.twitter.com/tQ9Yr7Mg3s
— Guardian sport (@guardian_sport) February 13, 2023
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Ireland all out for 105
Gah! That’s yer lot and it is a tame end to the innings for Ireland. Jane Maguire is caught by a Sciver-Brunt combo - Natalie catching a simple dolly at short mid-wicket off Katherine. England need 106 to clock up their second win of the tournament. I’ll be back soon with the chase.
After 12.2 overs, Ireland were 80-2 - 17 balls later, they were 95-8 😬#IREvENG #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/gMgwSjpxFE
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) February 13, 2023
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18th over: Ireland 105-9 ( Murray 1, Maguire 3) Just a couple off Lauren Bell’s over, Ireland looking to bat out the overs and eke out every run.
WICKET! Laura Delany b Ecclestone 12 (Ireland 103-9)
Ecclestone finishes with 3-13 off her four overs, she is master of her craft - scudding one past Laura Delany’s bat to send the Irish captain back to the hutch. How many can Ireland crawl to?
17th over: Ireland 103-9 ( Murray 1, Maguire 0)
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16th over: Ireland 101-8 (Delany 11, Murray 1) Counterpunch from Laura Delany as she crunches a square drive off Lauren Bell that hurtles to the boundary with smoke coming off it. The hundred comes up for Ireland but they would have fancied many more after their positive start, it’s been a middle overs decimation.
WICKET! Arlene Kelly c Knight b Bell 1 (Ireland 95-8)
You guessed it, another wicket. Heather Knight holds onto a sharp catch at short cover. England need just two more wickets, it’s been some turnaround from Ireland dominating the early overs.
Leah Paul b Glenn 0 (Ireland 94-7)
Glenn picks up her third wicket by bowling Leah Paul! Some collapse this by Ireland, they’ve lost five wickets in 14 (there’s that number again – spooky) balls.
15th over: Ireland 95-7 (Delany 6, Kelly 1)
I can’t type this fast but we’ve got another wicket!
WICKET! Mary Waldron lbw b Glenn 5
Sent upstairs but given out all the same. Waldron perishes on the sweep and Sarah Glenn has another!
We’ve got a review for LBW…
14th over: Ireland 94-5 (Delany 6, Waldron 5) FOURTEEN runs and a wicket off the fourteenth over. Mary Waldron gets going in fine fashion with a reverse-dab that races away down to the fence behind deep third.
WICKET! Louise Little c Ecclestone b Dean 8 (Ireland 89-5)
Another one gone! Little launches Charlie Dean down the ground for a large six but perishes next ball, Ecclestone (who else) pulling off a fine diving catch at mid-off.
13th over: Ireland 80-4 (Delany 6, Little 0) Double-wicket maiden for Ecclestone. She’s pure class. Ireland stuttering in the middle overs here, Louise Little joins her skipper in the middle.
Here we go then… ah no dice.
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WICKET! Eimear Richardson lbw b Ecclestone 0 (Ireland 80-4)
First ball, stone dead! Sophie Ecclestone is on a hat-trick!
WICKET! Gaby Lewis c Wyatt b Ecclestone 36 (Ireland 80-3)
Sophie Ecclestone has Lewis caught behind square!
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12th over: Ireland 80-2 (Lewis 36, Delany 5) England have sharpened up in the field, some decent stops and boundary saves in the last few overs. Nat Sciver-Brunt varies her speeds and lengths, denying the batters a chance to line her up for a big shot. The BIG SHOT comes from Lewis and it looks mighty close to being LBW. We’re going to go upstairs… and it is umpires call (Not Out) on impact, which was just outside the line of off-stump. A scruffy over in the end from Nat Sciver-Brunt, a wide and a couple of drag downs. Eight runs from it.
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11th over: Ireland 72-2 (Lewis 31, Delany 4) Sarah Glenn gives it a wristy flick and Lewis can’t get her away, two dots bring about a huge heave across the line that flicks Lewis’ thigh and runs away fine for a couple of leg byes, three singles makes it five off the over. Ireland ticking over.
10th over: Ireland 67-2 (Lewis 29, Delany 3) Katherine Sciver-Brunt back into the attack, Delany and Lewis keep the scoreboard ticking over- one scampered single slightly too close for comfort but the throw came in and bounced over the stumps. Ten overs done and time for a drink.
9th over: Ireland 61-2 (Lewis 26, Delany 1) Ireland’s skipper joins Gaby Lewis at the crease. Lewis keeps motoring along, another firmly struck four back past Glenn finishes the over.
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WICKET! Orla Prendergast b Glenn 17 (Ireland 56-2)
Bowled by the one that skids under! Prendergast hit a beautiful four over the top the ball before but tries the same again and loses her shape… and then her off stump. Well bowled Sarah Glenn.
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8th over: Ireland 51-1 (Lewis 21, Prendergast 13) Amy Jones stands up to the stumps as Nat of the Sciver-Brunts comes on for a bowl. She targets a back of a length err length and manages to slow the run rate down. Penny, or crore, for NSB’s thoughts – she has just been signed by Mumbai Indians, who will be coached by former England captain Charlotte Edwards, for £320,000.
7th over: Ireland 47-1 (Lewis 21, Prendergast 10) A nurdle off the legs and a scampered single to Prendergast. A direct hit from the throw causes another stump mic kerfuffle. We’ve had 38 balls in as many minutes I reckon. Heather Knight gets her players into a huddle, they look a bit like they’ve been caught on the hop by this Irish aggression. Finally the players are allowed to start again and England’s ragged start continues – Sophie Ecclestone mis-fielding to gift Prendergast a further three runs.
It’s been a strong start for Ireland
Despite the wicket of Amy Hunter falling, this has been an excellent start for Ireland. They've won 7 of their last 10 T20 games...so this will be far from easy for England... #T20WorldCup
— Aatif Nawaz (@AatifNawaz) February 13, 2023
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6th over: Ireland 42-1 (Lewis 20, Prendergast 6) Orla Prendergast is the new batter and she announces herself with a skimming cover drive for four. Her strike rate against off-spin is more than nifty. Powerplay done and Sarah Glenn is coming on to bowl the seventh.
WICKET! Amy Hunter c Dunkley b Dean 15 (Ireland 35-1)
Caught on the boundary, Charlie Dean gives it some flight and gets England into the game. Safe hands from Dunkley but a regulation catch.
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5th over: Ireland 35-0 (Lewis 15, Hunter 19) They are back under way after someone was sent out to fettle some wires. Stumps back in and Sophie Ecclestone has the ball in hand. Bosh! More of the same from Ireland – four runs to Lewis as Nat Sciver-Brunt loses the line of the ball in the field, pesky sun. Ireland continue to go for their shots, a plink over the infield brings two more to the total. England look a bit rattled here.
A brief pause in proceedings as the stump microphones are replaced
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4th over: Ireland 27-0 (Lewis 14, Hunter 12) Charlie Dean gets away with a leg bye off a loose delivery first up. Lewis then gets down well to reverse sweep finely for four, she saw the gap and executed sublimely. Another single makes it six off the over and Ireland’s zippy start continues.
3rd over: Ireland 21-0 (Lewis 9, Hunter 12)It is Sophie Ecclestone, fresh of a sizeable WPL deal to give her a further spring in her jaunty run up. The left-armer finds her length straight away and is attacking the stumps and pads. Ecclestone spears one into Lewis and goes up for half an appeal but the ball was sliding down. Just three off the over. Charlie Dean has been given the nod too, so we’ll have spin from both ends.
2nd over: Ireland 18-0 (Lewis 8, Hunter 10)Ireland have come out all guns blazing and England look rattled. Katherine Sciver-Brunt gets driven through cover off her first ball and then foes the full tea-pot as Hunter trots down and smashes the ball back past her for another boundary. Great intent from this opening pair. Knight has already summoned Ecclestone to warm up… Nine runs off the over.
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1st over: Ireland 9-0 (Lewis 8, Hunter 1) Lauren Bell starts first up for England and Ireland and Amy Hunter are off the mark with a single. Gaby Lewis then bunts a full ball over the in-field for Ireland’s first boundary. DROP! Danni Wyatt shells an aerial cut shot, in and out and down. Lewis survives and then picks up the final ball of the over beautifully, clipping over mid-wicket for another four. Sloppy first over from England notes Nasser Hussain on the TV commentary. Good start for Ireland game on!
"Sloppy from England in the first over, excellent from Ireland" 👏 pic.twitter.com/gkyTdnJwJF
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) February 13, 2023
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The players head out onto the bright green outfield and belt out the anthems. We’ll be underway in just a couple of minutes, just time to grab a cuppa.
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In case you missed it:
Picture perfect Paarl
Back at the spectacular Boland Park Paarl.
— Adam Mountford (@tmsproducer) February 13, 2023
It’s another double header.
England v Ireland from 1pm.
South Africa v New Zealand at 5pm.
Both games live on 5 Sports Extra & @BBCSounds #BBCCricket #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/o6vZfzbYWx
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Here are the teams:
Ireland: Hunter, Lewis, Prendergast, Delany (c), Richardson, Little, Waldron (wk), Paul, Kelly, Murray, Maguire
England: Wyatt, Dunkley, Capsey, N Sciver-Brunt, Knight (C), Jones (wk), K Sciver-Brunt, Ecclestone, Dean, Glenn, Bell
Unchanged for #IREvENG!
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) February 13, 2023
Ireland win the toss and elect to bat.#T20WorldCup
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Ireland win the toss and will bat first
The sun is scorching down in Paarl and the wicket looks a biscuit coloured belter. “Looks a good wicket, can’t wait to get out there with the bat,” says Ireland skipper Laura Delany. “There’s a good buzz and energy around the group. We’re playing three spinners, the rest are seamers and batters.”
Teams coming up!
Preamble
Hello and welcome to sunny Paarl (by way of a sofa in *equally* sunny south London) for the OBO of Ireland v England in the Women’s T20 World Cup.
Cricket is bonkers sometimes eh? You all know this of course but here’s a new one. Imagine being in the dressing room hoicking on your coloured kit to go out and represent your country in a World Cup match whilst potentially the biggest thing to happen in your career/life is happening simultaneously in an auction room in a different time zone. That’s the bafflingly unique scenario that some of today’s players find themselves in – one ear on the gavel at the Women’s Premier League Auction and everything else trained on the task in hand.
The auction is still ongoing at the Jio World Convention Centre at the Bandra-Kurla Complex in Mumbai. I’ll try and post some of the big news during the build up to the start of today’s game. Oh yeh, there’s a game on. A World Cup one.
Heather Knight’s England coasted through their first game – a seven wicket win with 33 balls to spare against West Indies but they won’t be taking Ireland lightly. Laura Delany’s team are fresh off beating Australia in Stellenbosch a few days ago, a gritty all round team performance that saw them come out on top against the current World Champions with just two balls and three wickets left. Ireland haven’t played a T20 World Cup game for five years but have already proved they will be a threat to some of the bigger sides (India, Pakistan and West Indies) in group two as they get their campaign underway today in Paarl.
Play begins at 1pm GMT, I’ll be back with the news of the toss and teams shortly, please do get in touch if you are tuning in, you can holler at me on email or tweet @Jimbo_Cricket.
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