England v india, 2nd T20, Derby
Homework comes first
In the world of rugby there was the story of Ellie Kildunne’s mother bringing the England debutant straight back to earth by pressing her homework upon her as soon as the game was over. She had scored a try. She was deeply embarrassed.
The second part of this tale took place at Derby. The most innovative decision by Lisa Keightley was to promote the 17-year-old Freya Kemp to No 7 in the order. She had obvious talent, but had been inserted in the team primarily for her promise as a left-arm over quickie. Alex Hartley, our almost permanent co-commentator, let slip about Kemp’s need to get her homework done. But first, she had to justify Keightley’s confidence in her. And she did, pulling England out of a dire position, 16-3 inside three overs.
English Batting and Bowling found wanting
England’s top order had failed; it required the combined talents of Maia Bouchier and Kemp to restore order. It warmed the heart to see them add a hard-hitting 65 in eight overs.
Kemp belongs to an endangered species, a left-handed batter playing for England. She struck the ball superbly, backed with equal promise by Bouchier who also had a case to make. England recovered to the semi-respectability of 142-6, but it proved way too small a target. The Indian team had a bigger point to prove after their 9-wicket walloping at Chester-le-Street.
Kemp had a sharp reminder of cricket’s unforgiving ups and downs. Her only over went for 19, as Mandhana once more showed her taste for English bowling. She hit it to all parts.
Sophie Ecclestone did well to hang on to a sharp catch-and-bowl to dismiss Shafali Verma (20), and Freya Davies bowled one beauty to dismiss Dayalan Hemalatha (9). That was as far as it got.
The worry is that too few of England’s current bowlers can be relied on to bowl line and length with any consistency. After you have named Cross (not playing today) and Ecclestone, who else? And Mandhana is a rare batter to find Ecclestone easy meat.
Result: India beat England by nine wickets
Scores
England 142-6 (Kemp 51*, Bouchier 34)
India 146-2 (Mandhana 79*)
Player of the Match: Smriti Mandhana
Lead photo shows Freya Kemp celebrating a wicket in an earlier England performance
