England pass first Test at World T20 with victory over Bangladesh

Their opponents, all at sea against the swinging ball and not a whole lot better against a trio of left-arm spinners, made just 76 for nine from their 20 overs, and England surpassed their rain-revised target with plenty of time to spare

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St Lucia: Bangladesh 76-9, England 64-3 - England won by 7 wickets (DLS)

After finally getting the chance to play cricket in the Caribbean, England made a winning start to the Women’s World T20.

Heather Knight’s side had spent most of their time in Gros Islet practising on the concreted areas underneath the main stand at the Daren Sammy Stadium and wandering the sodden outfield in flip flops as the weekend rain refused to relent.

Once the sun forced its way through, however, and the groundstaff had the opportunity to work their magic, they did not waste any time imposing themselves on the competition, and more particularly Bangladesh.

Their opponents, all at sea against the swinging ball and not a whole lot better against a trio of left-arm spinners, made just 76 for nine from their 20 overs, with Ayasha Rahman’s entertaining 39 the highlight.

In response, England experienced teething problems and at one stage were 13 for two but recovered to reach their rain-revised target with seven wickets to spare.

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Anya Shrubsole claimed one wicket (all images © ICC Business Corporation FZ LLC 2018)

England might have included a slow left-arm trifecta - Sophia Dunkley, Linsey Smith and Kirstie Gordon all making their international debuts - but in conditions which favoured the swing of Anya Shrubsole and Sciver, Bangladesh were in trouble from the moment they lost the toss and were asked to bat.

Shrubsole removed Shamima Sultana in her first over, a booming inswinger totally outfoxing the opening batter, before Sciver tempted Fargana Hoque Pinky into a prod outside off stump which ended up in the gloves of the tumbling Jones.

Bangladesh simply could not find a way of countering the seaming ball and Ayasha Rahman’s six off Shrubsole, from the fourth ball of the powerplay’s final over, more than doubled their score.

WORLD T20 HUB

Had it not been for the opener it is not worth thinking what Bangladesh would have managed from this innings.

While her team-mates continued to struggle, Ayasha happily opened her arms, launching Gordon down the ground for another maximum and cutting Sophie Ecclestone through point for four.

Another partner, Nigar Sultana Joty, perished for a duck - run out by the length of the pitch after Ayasha had slipped embarking on a quick single - and it took until the 10th over for any batter other than the 24-year-old to score a run.

Still Ayasha pushed on, becoming the first Bangladeshi woman to hit three sixes in a T20 international, but she eventually picked out Danni Wyatt in the deep to give Gordon her first international wicket and no one could pick up her baton.

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Nat Sciver at the crease

Sanjida Islam slapped Linsey Smith to Sophie Ecclestone at mid-off, Rumana Ahmed found Sophia Dunkey in the deep off Gordon and Lata Mondal flopped up a catch to Heather Knight in the covers to give Gordon her third wicket on debut.

Wickets continued to fall at regular intervals in the final few overs and Bangladesh’s total did not look particularly daunting.

England, though, found life with bat in hand fairly unenjoyable early on in their reply.

Wyatt was trapped lbw by the first ball of the innings, bowled by Salma, who then removed Tammy Beaumont, caught at backward point.

Jones was dropped attempting an almighty swipe to leg a ball after narrowly avoiding a run out and, briefly, it appeared as though Bangladesh might spring a surprise.

Once Sciver and Jones settled into a partnership, however, their fragile total quickly cracked and crumbled.

The two put on 38 before Sciver was stumped off Khadija Tul Kubra. Now England were in control of the game and, when the rain returned and brought their target down to 64 from 16 overs, there was only going to be one result.

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