World Cup fever hit as all the U19 Women’s World Cup teams played the first full round of warm up fixtures in preparation for the inaugural tournament starting on Saturday 14th January 2023. England, who are one of the favourites to win the competition, took on the West Indies at the Hammanskraal Mandela Oval who they will not play in the first group stages of the tournament.
It was a convincing win for the Three Lions and they restricted the West Indies to 65/8. Lizzie Scott took the new ball for England and featured early on, leaving the West Indies 2–1 and the end of the first over, removing opener Zaida James for 0. NaiJanni Cumberbatch top scored for the losing side, hitting 25 from 33 deliveries until she was dismissed by Worcestershire left-arm spinner, Charis Pavely. The Blaze’s keeper, Maddie Ward starred, taking two catches and stumping out Asabi Callender and Lena Scott off the bowling of Josie Groves and Sophia Smale respectively. England’s star wicket taker was leg-spinner Hannah Baker who took 2/9 from her three overs but Sophia Smale finished with the best economy of 1.00, taking a wicket a bowling a maiden over. An impressive bowling and fielding performance by England set them a target of 66.
Thunder openers, Liberty Heap and Seren Smale, looked comfortable at the crease, Heap scoring 31 from 24 balls before being caught out by Shunelle Sawh off the bowling of Ashmini Munisar in the 10th over. With five runs needed, Davina Perrin joined Smale at the crease, hitting 5* (4). Smale finished on 30* from 36 deliveries and England won by 9 wickets in only the 11th over — an ideal start to their preparations in South Africa.
England will play Indonesia on Wednesday 11th January at 8am (GMT) at Tuks Oval, Pretoria
Full scorecard: https://www.u19worldcup.com/match/101904#overview
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