England Marching to the Finals

It was a match they were supposed to win, but you still have to turn up on the day and England did just that, and with two wins from two matches they are looking finals bound.

England’s Nat Sciver-Brunt won the toss and sent Ireland in to bat. If they were still thinking of their loss against Scotland in the previous match, it was evident. Ireland struggled early and things became decidedly uncomfortable when they lost key batter and captain, Gaby Lewis for a first ball duck.

It was once again up to Orla Prendergast to hold the innings together, and while she was ably assisted with a 26* cameo from Louise Little, the innings never really had any momentum and Ireland finished with 118/9.

Amy Maguire accounted for both openers and when Prendergast dismissed Alice Capsey, England were precariously situated at 35/3. However, the old brigade of Nat Sciver-Brunt (48)and Heather Knight (26) saw England home. Oddly, the England skipper retired herself out, just 2 runs shy of her fifty, due to concerns over a calf injury. From the ECB:

“England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt felt tightness in her calf and retired hurt as a precaution. She is currently being assessed by England medics.”

Sophie Ecclestone was named Player of the Match as England won by a wobbly 4 wickets. It has them sitting pretty at the top of Pool B.

Scores:

Ireland 118/9 (Orla Prendergast 26, Louise Little 26*, Sophie Ecclestone 3-22, Dani Gibson 2-10, Charlie Dean 2-11) lost to
England 120/6 (Nat Sciver-Brunt 48, Heather Knight 26, Orla Prendergast 2-17, Amy Maguire 2-23) by 4 wickets

POTM: Sophie Ecclestone