England defeated West Indies by nine wickets on Friday (May 23) to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the women’s T20I series.
At the County Ground in Brighton, England’s win was set up by Emily Arlott, who was playing just her second international match. Hayley Matthews (6), who had scored 100 of West Indies’ 146 runs in the first game at Canterbury, was Arlott's first victim.
Four balls later, she got rid of Zaida James (6). In her next over, Arlott struck again, removing Stafanie Taylor for a duck – a major blow to West Indies, who had bolstered their lineup with the veteran’s return from injury. With Lauren Bell drawing first blood for England by dismissing Qiana Joseph, West Indies slipped to 29-4.
Shemaine Campbelle (26 off 36) and Shabika Gajnabi (22 off 29) attempted to stabilise the innings with a 36-run partnership, but their efforts proved insufficient as West Indies collapsed to 81-9 after 20 overs. Bell supported Arlott's stunning spell with 3-28, supported by Charlie Dean (2 wickets) and Issy Wong (1).
2nd T20I, England Women vs West Indies Women
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Nat Sciver-Brunt leads from the front in series-sealing victory
Despite the paltry total, England’s chase had the worst possible start as Danni Wyatt-Hodge was bowled by Zaida off the very first ball. Thereafter, the newly appointed captain, Nat Sciver-Brunt batted with authority, taking England to 49-1 in the powerplay. Nearing her 17th T20I fifty, she was given a reprieve as Cherry-Ann Fraser dropped her.
In the process, she ran a double to reach the landmark. Sciver-Brunt hit the winning runs by hitting Afy Fletcher for a four off the second ball of the 10th over. Sophia Dunkley, who scored an unbeaten 81 in the previous match, played a supporting act with a 25-ball 24.
England's chase of 82-1 in 9.2 overs marks their third-shortest successful run chase in women's T20Is. Their two quicker victories also came against West Indies: a rain-shortened five-a-side chase of 42 in 4.3 overs (2020) and a 44-run pursuit in 5.3 overs (2022). Having won the first T20I by eight wickets, England have sealed a series victory with a match still to be played on Monday (May 26).
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