England are trending in the right direction at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, according to Tash Farrant.
England, led once again by Charlie Dean in the absence of injured captain Nat Sciver-Brunt, qualified for the semi-finals with a game to spare after a 38-run victory over the West Indies at Lord’s.
It was the tournament hosts’ fourth win from four games, and Farrant says performances have inspired a level of confidence in England’s prospects not experienced for years.
“This is the most confident I have felt about an England side in the last five or six years,” Farrant told Sky Sports Cricket.
“They have the things they have been looking for for so long – a longer batting line-up, the all-rounders of Freya Kemp and Dani Gibson.
“We are saying this and they haven’t had Nat Sciver-Brunt for the last couple of games, so I think they should rest her for New Zealand and give her another week to let the calf settle.
“Under pressure, they didn’t bowl that well to Chinelle Henry when she was smoking a few to the boundary, and their fielding fell off in the last couple of overs, but they are trending in the right direction.”
England, put in to bat after losing the toss, overcame sweltering conditions at Lord’s to post 186-7 from their 20 overs, thanks to telling contributions from stalwarts Danni Wyatt-Hodge (65 off 42) and Heather Knight (43 off 26).
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Natasha Farrant discusses what Danni Wyatt-Hodge and Heather Knight bring to the England side after they both produced impressive performances against West Indies in the Women’s T20 World Cup.
Farrant examined how two veterans of the England side continue to play such an influential role in Charlotte Edwards’ team.
“Danni Wyatt-Hodge, her second player of the match performance of this World Cup… another phenomenal performance from her,” she added. “She was excellent… she’s so experienced.
“The West Indies didn’t bowl very well to her at the start… they gave her a bit short… and they kept the offside field up. They had no one on the deep cover boundary, which is an absolute no-no against Wyatt-Hodge.
“Even if they’re bowling at the stumps, she’s able to hit it to the offside, and then the same ball, she’s able to sweep those ones.
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Danni Wyatt-Hodge discusses her great innings against West Indies that helped seal England’s spot in the Women’s T20 World Cup semi-finals.
“She just creates so much energy with the way that she looks for the quick singles… it’s just the perfect combination.”
“Heather Knight also, again, a great performance with the bat. She’s been so solid for England at No. 5.
“She’s a steely character… she’ll know that there’s been a bit of chat around her strike rate. She’ll be most pleased with the way that she struck it today.
“She’s one of England’s best players of spin… playing the sweep and the reverse sweep so well.”
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