By Deepak Sharma (Indian Correspondent)
E-mail: spacewalker008@gmail.com
Sharjah, UAE (13-10-2024): England secured their third consecutive win in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, defeating Scotland by 10 wickets at Sharjah, and reclaimed the top spot in Group B. Chasing a modest target of 110, England raced to victory in just 10 overs, setting up a final group-stage clash with the West Indies.
As the competition for the two semi-final spots tightens, South Africa, the Windies, and England remain in the hunt. Scotland, despite a cautious approach with the bat, managed 109 for six in their 20 overs, with the Bryce sisters standing out. England’s Sophie Ecclestone was exceptional with the ball, while Maia Bouchier and Danni Wyatt-Hodge’s unbeaten partnership powered the chase.
Put in to bat first, Scotland began cautiously, with Saskia Horley and Sarah Bryce adding 29 runs during the powerplay. However, boundaries were hard to come by, and their opening partnership of 38 was broken when Horley, trying to increase the run rate, was caught by Ecclestone off Nat Sciver-Brunt’s bowling for 13.
The Bryce sisters briefly steadied the innings, taking the score past 50. Sarah Bryce was stumped by Amy Jones for 27 off Ecclestone, while Kathryn Bryce top-scored with 33. Ailsa Lister provided a moment of history for Scotland, hitting their first-ever six in an ICC Women’s T20 World Cup match. She was dismissed for 11, caught by Heather Knight off Danielle Gibson.
In her final T20 international appearance, Lorna Jack-Brown was bowled for a duck by Lauren Bell. Ecclestone wrapped up her spell with impressive figures of 2/13, as Scotland limped to 109/6, with Katherine Fraser enjoying some luck in the penultimate over when a Sciver-Brunt delivery hit the stumps but failed to dislodge the bails.
England’s chase got off to a flying start, with Bouchier hitting the first three balls for boundaries. Scotland’s Olivia Bell dropped a return catch, giving Bouchier a reprieve, and she made them pay.
England’s opening pair of Bouchier and Wyatt-Hodge quickly brought up their 50, with Wyatt-Hodge also finding the boundary at will. England finished the powerplay at 66/0, the highest score in the tournament so far.
Bouchier reached her half-century in 30 balls, with Wyatt-Hodge following suit in 26 balls. A four from Bouchier ended the match in style, leaving England unbeaten and with the highest individual score of the tournament.
Match Summary
Scotland: 109/6 in 20 overs (Kathryn Bryce 33, Sarah Bryce 27; Sophie Ecclestone 2/13, Danielle Gibson 1/5, Lauren Bell 1/16)
England: 113/0 in 10 overs (Maia Bouchier 62*, Danni Wyatt-Hodge 51*; Abtaha Maqsood 0/11, Darcey Carter 0/11)
Result: England won by 10 wickets.