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England 118-7, beat Bangladesh 97-7 by 21 runs
England kicked off their Women’s T20 World Cup campaign with a solid 21-run win over Bangladesh, largely thanks to a standout performance from left-arm spinner Linsey Smith. Playing her first World Cup game since 2018, Smith’s remarkable bowling and sharp fielding played a crucial role in England’s defense of a modest total.
Smith’s return to the international stage was well worth the wait. Finishing with figures of 2 for 11 from her four overs, she restricted Bangladesh’s powerplay to just 20 runs, effectively stifling their momentum from the start. Jon Lewis’s decision to bring Smith back into the side earlier this year was validated, as her performance proved pivotal in limiting Bangladesh’s chances.
Bangladesh Choked by Spin Strategy
England’s strategy of fielding four frontline spinners worked wonders on Sharjah’s slow and low wicket. Smith, along with Charlie Dean, Sophie Ecclestone, and Sarah Glenn, combined to take five of Bangladesh’s seven wickets. Smith’s tight bowling removed opener Shathi Rani, and her crucial direct throw led to the run-out of Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana.
Bangladesh never recovered from their slow start, despite a valiant 44 off 48 balls from Sobhana Mostary, who showed resilience by hitting a six off Dean. However, the middle-order struggled to gain momentum against England’s spin attack, leaving them 21 runs short of the target.
Wyatt-Hodge Leads England’s Batting Effort
England’s innings, however, wasn’t without its own challenges. After a strong start in the powerplay, where they raced to 47 runs, England’s middle-order faltered, losing five wickets for just 37 runs. The newly married Danni Wyatt-Hodge, playing under her new name for the first time, top-scored with 41 before being stumped in the 13th over. Wyatt-Hodge reflected on the win, saying: “Conditions are tough, but I’m delighted to have contributed. We played smart cricket despite a few nerves.”
Bangladesh’s spinners, led by leg-spinner Fahima Khatun, capitalized on the conditions, with Khatun taking two key wickets. She first dismissed Nat Sciver-Brunt with a sharp lbw decision, and later trapped Alice Capsey, who fell victim to a reverse-sweep attempt.
Despite these setbacks, Sophie Ecclestone’s first-ball six and contributions from England’s lower order ensured the team reached a defendable total of 118-7. England captain Heather Knight acknowledged after the match that they had been aiming for a higher score, saying, “We’ll need to work harder for runs if we get back on this pitch.”
Looking Ahead
England’s next challenge will be against South Africa on Monday. The South Africans, fresh from a dominating 10-wicket victory over the West Indies, are expected to pose a tougher test for England. With Linsey Smith in top form and England’s spinners proving effective, the stage is set for an exciting contest as the World Cup heats up.