England go top of T20 World Cup Group B after thumping win over Scotland; will make semi-finals if they beat West Indies on Tuesday; Maia Bouchier (62no off 34) and Danni Wyatt-Hodge (51no off 26) power England to target of 110 off just 10 overs as Heather Knight’s side boost net run-rate
Maia Bouchier (62no off 34) and Danni Wyatt-Hodge (51no off 26) powered England to an ask of 110 in just 10 overs, sharing the side’s first hundred opening stand in T20 World Cups since 2012.
The scale of the victory in Sharjah lifts Heather Knight’s team top of Group B, above South Africa on net run-rate, and they will reach the last four by beating West Indies in Dubai on Tuesday.
However, England could still qualify with a narrow defeat as their NRR is currently +1.716 compared to South Africa’s +1.382, giving them some margin for error.
England’s third win in a row was set up by the bowlers as they limited Scotland to 109-6, with spinner Sophie Ecclestone snaffling 2-13 and recalled seamer Lauren Bell 1-16.
Scotland, who have lost all four of their matches in their debut T20 World Cup, saw skipper Kathryn Bryce (33 off 28) and sister Sarah (27 off 31) top-score with the bat.
But their wayward bowling was brutally punished by England with Bouchier – dropped on 12 by Scotland spinner Olivia Bell – crunching 12 boundaries in a statement triumph for her side.
Bouchier, Wyatt-Hodge blast England to quick-fire win
Scotland needed every chance to stick as they set about defending such a small total but Olivia Bell shelled Bouchier off her own bowling in the second over of the chase.
By then, though, the England opener had already struck three fours – consecutively off seamer Rachel Slater from the first three balls of the innings.
Bouchier had stuttered against South Africa last time out with a sketchy eight off 20 balls, yet rebounded to post the highest individual score in this tournament, eclipsing Proteas skipper Laura Wolvaardt’s 59 against West Indies.
