Hayley Matthews ton in vain as England return to winning ways

Hayley Matthews hit 100* in vain as England ensured an eight wicket victory over West Indies in Canterbury. England, now under the guidance of Charlotte Edwards and newly installed captain, Nat Sciver-Brunt chased down 147.

Photo Credit: England Cricket

Sophia Dunkley was the instigator, scoring a match-winning 81* with former skipper Heather Knight playing second fiddle, finishing 43*. Lauren Bell’s double wicket maiden in the fourth over was an early blow for the West Indies but Matthews aimed to steer the ship, hitting her third T20I century, only the fourth woman to make three or more T20I centuries according to Hypocaust.

There were great contrasts with the last time England took the field at the start of February. Noticeably, the sweltering summer heat of Melbourne changed to a chilly night in Canterbury. New Head Coach Edward was sat in the dug out with recalled players Issy Wong and Em Arlott in the XI, a long awaited debut for Arlott. Importantly, the cricket being played was significantly less bleak.

Batting

It was painstaking to see the poor shot selection, not only across those four weeks in Australia, but also during major tournaments. With any of these improvements, it’s not an overnight fix. Example one: the second ball of the game. Wyatt-Hodge should have been out, put down by Jannillea Glasgow inside the ring. Whilst it was not the simplest of catches, it was a dangerous choice.

Sophia Dunkley has been flying in county cricket and that confidence and form was on display in Canterbury. While it’s been 50 over form she’s found, time in the middle is time in the middle regardless of format.

Commitment in the field

The ‘incident of the day’ occurred with West Indies debutant Realeanna Grimmond as the victim. In an error which demonstrated the inexperience of Grimmond and the combined experience between Nat Sciver-Brunt and Amy Jones, England claimed their third wicket. The ball was struck to Sciver-Brunt who stopped it inside the ring, throwing the ball to the keepers end comedically high. Grimmond, oblivious to this came out of her crease, Amy Jones simultaneously taking off the bails. A stroke of genius from England.

Captain Sciver-Brunt was at the heart of another successful piece of work. Consulting with Issy Wong before the final ball of her over, Sciver-Brunt sent herself out to the deep midwicket boundary. Alas, Shabika Gajnabi placed the ball precisely to where the skipper was waiting and the visitors found themselves 76-4.

By no means was it a perfect performance in the field. The additional pressure in the field provided run out opportunities but overthrows were an unwanted consequence. Work on the boundary was noticeable with Linsey Smith (deep square leg) and Em Arlott (long on) providing memorable pieces of fielding to stop 4s.

Catching

Back in baking Melbourne, England were guilty of dismal eight dropped catches on day two of the Test. As many parts of the Test match were, it was the nail in the coffin. Three overs in, now in Canterbury, and there were some reassuring signs. Firstly, the dismissal of Qiana Joseph, the ball lingering in the air, eventually safely taken by Linsey Smith for the first wicket. Then the aforementioned catch to remove Gajnabi for 11, followed by Arlott’s inaugural international wicket, once again held on to by Sciver-Brunt.

The success was not exclusive to Smith and Sciver-Brunt with Lauren Bell diving at short fine leg to dismiss Mandy Mangru 

It was not the prime chance to put England’s ability under pressure to the test but that will come at some point this summer. For now, a win and the road to rebuilding a positive reputation.