England suffered their second straight defeat at the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup after losing to West Indies by seven runs in a thrilling contest in Dunedin.
The defending champions must get a win against South Africa next Monday to remain in the tournament after this sloppy performance that saw missed chances in the field, too many extras and the loss of regular wickets chasing down 226.
Despite a ninth-wicket stand of 61 between Kate Cross and Sophie Ecclestone, England weren’t quite able to scrape over the line and recover from their loss to Australia in the opening game.
West Indies celebrate their seven-run victory over England at the Women’s World Cup
England were sloppy in the field and lost regular wickets in their chase in another defeat
They required just another nine when Cross was run out for 27 and No 11 Anya Shrubsole was then bowled by Anisa Mohammed to complete West Indies’ first win over England at the World Cup.
Their total of 225 for six was based mainly on a pairing of 123 between Shemaine Campbelle and Chedean Nation after they’d collapsed from 81 without loss to 98 for four.
This included the loss of three wickets in quick succession – Hayley Matthews (45), Deandra Dottin (31) and captain Stafanie Taylor (0) all when the score was on 81.
But England failed to take the chances that came their way in the field to restrict the West Indies batters. Lauren Winfield-Hill dropped Dottin off the first ball of the match and Matthews was put down twice during the 81-run opening stand.
Anya Shrubsole drops a catch – one of six missed opportunities in the field by England
Deandra Dottin of West Indies is run out by England’s Danielle Wyatt as Any Jones appeals
Hayley Matthews (left) and Dottin fist bump as West Indies post 225 for six in their innings
Ecclestone led the fightback to take the wickets of Matthews and Taylor, either side of Dottin being run out. Kycia Knight fell but Campbelle (66) and Nation (45 not out) combined to steer West Indies to a good total.
However, Nation was dropped by Shrubsole when on 23 and should have been run out shortly afterwards, only for wicketkeeper Any Jones to spill the ball.
Campbelle was out lbw to Heather Knight on seven, a decision overturned by DRS, and was then dropped by Shrubsole when on 55 as England squandered a host of chances.
Their bowlers also conceded 28 extra which would also prove significant.
Chasing what would have been their highest successful chase in a World Cup match, England struggled and lost their wickets at regular enough intervals to stifle momentum.
Tammy Beaumont top-scored with 46 but Knight, Nat Sciver and Jones all failed with the bat. England were 94 for five when a stand of 60 between Danni Wyatt and Sophia Dunkley gave them some hope.
Amy Jones walks off following her dismissal as England fall short of their victory target
Kate Cross (left) and Sophie Ecclestone (right) put on 61 for the ninth wicket to offer hope
But West Indies held their nerve to consign England to a second successive defeat
But they slumped again from 154 for six to 156 for eight before Cross and Ecclestone paired up to give them sight of an unlikely victory.
It was certainly hard on Cross to be run out when Ecclestone’s drive hit the fingers of Mohammed and deflected onto the non-striker’s stumps with Cross out of her ground.
The top two teams in the eight-team group advance to the semi-finals, leaving England with little margin for error now if they are to defend the trophy they won back in 2017.
