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England survived a wobble against Ireland connected Tuesday astatine Southampton, recovering from 35 for 3 to pursuit down 119 pinch 15 balls remaining and 4 wickets to spare, and support their World Cup run connected track.
England, though, will beryllium sweating connected nan fittingness of their captain Nat Sciver-Brunt, who top-scored pinch 48 but was forced to discontinue wounded pinch 9 runs still needed, aft apparently suffering a recurrence of nan calf wounded she has struggled pinch each summer. She will beryllium assessed by medics up of England’s adjacent lucifer against Scotland astatine Headingley connected Saturday.
This should person been a locomotion successful nan parkland for England, but nan enticement to pursuit down nan runs quickly and elevate an already-healthy nett tally complaint seemingly proved excessively great. Ireland person 2 world-class players successful their ranks, skipper Gaby Lewis and her vice-captain Orla Prendergast: England’s apical bid took them connected and came retired connected nan incorrect side.
Firstly, Lewis held onto 2 catches astatine other screen successful nan 5th over, sending Amy Jones and Friday’s centurion Danni Wyatt-Hodge packing. The 2nd was regular but nan first, taken complete her enarthrosis search backwards, was a infinitesimal of magic for a squad who severely needed one. Minutes later, Prendergast yorked Alice Capsey, further jangling English nerves.
As truthful often, it was near to nan wise aged heads of Sciver-Brunt and Heather Knight to return a activity and bring immoderate calm successful a business worthy 64 from 49 balls. Bazball it surely was not, but it sewage nan occupation done, helped on by a convoy of Irish bowlers whose sanction was not Prendergast.
By nan clip nan right-armer returned successful nan 14th over, trapping Knight leg-before, England needed conscionable 20 from 37. Though Sciver-Brunt retired wounded and Freya Kemp was tally retired successful nan dying minutes of nan game, Charlie Dean stroked 1 done nan covers for 4 and Alice Tector vanished things disconnected successful anti-climactic manner successful nan 18th complete pinch a leg-side wide.
The lucifer had begun an hr precocious owed to rain, shaping Sciver-Brunt’s determination to vessel first successful overcast conditions. Lauren Bell and Linsey Smith person opened nan bowling present galore a clip for Southern Vipers and Hampshire, though it possibly felt somewhat different to person a crowd of complete 9,000 cheering their wickets this time. Dean, formerly of this parish, chimed successful pinch a wicket maiden successful nan powerplay, finishing pinch 2 for 11 – her champion ever showing successful a World Cup. And Sophie Ecclestone, who had looked off-colour connected Friday, was punished for 13 runs from her first complete but counter-punched pinch 3 wickets.
Last September, Lewis deed a 100 astatine this very crushed for Lancashire successful nan One-Day Cup final, finishing nan time by holding nan trophy aloft. But immoderate hopes of a repetition capacity present were dashed erstwhile she ramped her first shot into nan hands of short backward quadrate and departed for a duck. Meanwhile Prendergast smoked 4 beautiful boundaries, only to chop a thing shot from Dani Gibson onto her ain stumps.
That near Ireland 57 for 5 astatine nan halfway stage, struggling to moreover scope 3 figures, astatine slightest until No 8 Louise Little answered Ireland’s telephone pinch a cameo of 26 not retired from 15 balls – her highest people for Ireland. Little missed retired connected action for Saturday’s lucifer against Scotland, and was only playing successful this lucifer because Ava Canning has been sent for a precautionary scan connected her little back. But nan 23-year-old added a touch of swagger to nan Ireland innings erstwhile she dispatched Bell’s 20th complete for 17 runs – albeit aided by a misfield from Linsey Smith connected nan bound rope.
There was a definite irony successful nan truth that Sri Lanka – who England perfectly thumped successful Friday’s tourney opener – had earlier masterminded a overmuch higher run-chase of 151 against New Zealand connected this aforesaid pitch. The daze consequence leaves nan reigning champions connected nan brink of elimination, pinch 2 losses from 2 matches.
It besides throws Group B wide open. The victor of Thursday’s lucifer betwixt Scotland and West Indies will beryllium successful rod position to advancement to nan knockout stages alongside leaders England.
