England wrap up T20 series win against Pakistan

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Fran Wilson marked her international comeback with an unbeaten 39 as England wrapped up a Natwest Twenty20 series win against Pakistan in the second at the Ageas Bowl.

Wilson, whose last appearance came in January 2011, glued a staccato innings on a slow track together with wickets regularly falling. Jenny Gunn and Danielle Hazell’s miserly bowling in defending made sure England won by 35 runs.

After England had won the toss and elected to bat, Lauren Winfield started off in confident style – hitting three of the first four balls to the boundary.

Opening partner Tammy Beaumont never quite looked settled at the crease – despite her recent form of 424 runs in four innings across the formats – and after getting away with a caught and bowled chance was lbw to debutant Aiman Anwer.

Captain Heather Knight came in and slapped the game’s first six down the ground to the close boundary fence. Winfield was dropped at cover by Bismah Maroof, but Anwer made up for her captain’s misfortune next ball with a boundary snatch over her head.

Pakistan appeared in a great deal of control, bowling tightly on slow track and patrolling the outfield well were rewarded as a frustrated Knight was tempted down the track – simply stumped by Sidra Nawaz.

Natalie Sciver continued the steady flow of wickets when she skied to long on, before Danielle Wyatt was the victim of a stunning caught and bowled by Maroof – who ended with impressive figures of two for 19.

Wilson was a steadying hand for her team, eventually scoring an unbeaten 39, just four runs short of her career best. England continued their trial by spin as Amy Jones was stumped and then Katherine Brunt ran herself out – but the home side set a challenging 139 to win.

In reply, Sidra Ameen had a life off the very first ball of the innings. She top-edged Brunt behind but it was called a no ball. Ameen failed to take it as two balls latter she was run out from a direct hit coming in from Wyatt at point.

Jones produced a smart piece of wicket-keeping, a low catch standing up, to see off Maroof who tickled one behind. Glovewomen Jones was in the action again when she easily held a steepler from Javeria Khan – after putting on the highest stand of the match, 30.

Sidra Nawaz and Asmavia Iqbal both departed in quick succession as the afternoon’s procession between dug out and middle continued – both caught in the midfield.

Sana Mir was bowled attempting to scoop Sophie Ecclestone, before the teenager castled Anwer – the game completely turning with quick wickets. Gunn, who ended with stunning figures of two for seven, and Hazell, two for 15, ended the contest to keep England unbeaten this summer.

England women v Pakistan women – 2^nd NatWest International Twenty20, Ageas Bowl, Southampton

England women won the toss and elected to bat

England women – 138-7 (Fran Wilson 43*)

20 overs

Pakistan women – 103 (Gunn 2-7)

20 overs

England women won by 35 runs

England women v Pakistan women international schedule 2016:

Date	Format	Venue	Result
20.6.16	1st Royal London ODI*^	Fischer County Ground, Grace Road, Leicester	England won by 7 wickets
22.6.16	2nd Royal London ODI*^	New Road, Worcester	England won by 212 runs
27.6.16	3rd Royal London ODI*^	The Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton	England won by 202 runs
3.7.16	1st NatWest IT20	The Brightside Ground, Bristol	England won by 68 runs
5.7.16	2nd NatWest IT20+	Ageas Bowl, Southampton	England won by 35 runs
7.7.16	3rd NatWest IT20	The Essex County Ground, Chelmsford

* ICC Women’s Championship

^ Reserve day: as per the ICC Women’s Championship Playing Conditions, in the event of the match not being completed on the scheduled date, a reserve day (the following day) is in place for each of the Royal London ODIs.

⁺ Double-header with men’s NatWest IT20 (England v Sri Lanka) 

Live television coverage and radio commentary will be provided for all six England women’s internationals against Pakistan women via Sky Sports and BBC Radio respectively.

Report courtesy of the ECB