Paarl (South Africa) (AFP) - England captain Heather Knight admitted Monday that the distraction of the Indian Women's Premier League auction on the day of a Women's T20 World Cup match was "weird".
But she said her players were able to focus on their fixture against Ireland at Boland Park in Paarl, winning by four wickets with 5.4 overs to spare, taking control of Group Two with their second successive win.
"Whatever happens in the IPL doesn't affect the value of the players in our team," said Knight.
Left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone showed why she was bought by the Uttar Pradesh Warriorz franchise for the equivalent of about $220,000 when she sparked an Ireland collapse to 105 all out.Ecclestone took three for 13.
Another WPL target, Alice Capsey, bought by Delhi Capitals for $91,000, set up an early finish by hitting 51 off 22 balls in England's reply.
Capsey's dismissal was the first of five wickets which fell for 33 runs before victory was achieved.But England, committed to an attacking approach, were able to boost their net run rate following a similarly convincing win against the West Indies on Saturday.
Nat Sciver-Brunt, who attracted the joint-highest price for an overseas player, had a quiet day, bowling two overs which cost ten runs and being dismissed for five.
She was bought by Mumbai Indians for $390,000.
"She probably won't like all the attention," said Knight. "She's very humble.She's just very good at cricket."
Knight herself was unsold in early bidding but was later picked up by Royal Challengers Bangalore for $49,000.She only found out after the match.
"I'm looking forward to it but my focus now is on captaining England in the World Cup," she said.
Ireland were doing reasonably well at 80 for two when Ecclestone had top-scorer Gaby Lewis caught at deep square leg for 36. She trapped Eimear Richardson leg before wicket with her next delivery and Ireland were on a slide in which they lost their last eight wickets for 25 runs.
Ireland all-rounder Orla Prendergast said her team's batting was "good in patches but not for long enough."
England were 70 for one after 6.1 overs when Capsey was out but needed another 8.1 overs to complete the win, with leg-spinner Cara Murray taking three for 15 in three overs.
"The way we pulled it back gave us a lot of positives," said Prendergast.
Brief scores:
Ireland 105 in 18.2 overs (G.Lewis 36; S. Ecclestone 3-13, C. Dean 2-26, S. Glenn 3-19).
England 107-6 in 14.2 overs (A.Capsey 51; C. Murray 3-15).
Result: England won by 4 wickets.
Toss: Ireland.
