Looking on the bright side of a wet evening
When rain affects a cricket match, it’s hard to find anything positive to say about it.
But here’s an effort from the second T20 at Hove.
The groundstaff worked wonders to provide any play at all. In the end they had to admit defeat, but not before England had secured victory.
If we assume every English eye is fixed on the Bangladesh World Cup, then some useful boxes were ticked. Here are a few:
England were asked to bat first, rightly seen as the worse option when the forecast is bad.
None of the leading batters had the chance to put a proper innings together, but they scored at 9,98 runs per over, and ensured wickets didn’t fall in a loud clatter, as was all too possible in a match limited to a laughable nine overs each.
Together, the two highest scorers, Maia Bouchier (23) and Alice Capsey (28), hit five fours and three sixes, achieving scoring-rates of over 150.
Nat Sciver-Brunt and Heather Knight kept the waggon rolling at the same pace, and Sophie Ecclestone produced her party piece off the last ball on offer: a six sent towards the English Channel.
Only 15.4 overs in total, yet enough cricket was played to make a result possible – amazing!
Not so positive
In reply, Sophie Devine and Melie Kerr fell cheaply to the two opening bowlers, NSB and the returning Lauren Bell. Suzie Bates (4) faced only six balls during a 24-minute stay. That helps explain how she was dismissed by Charlie Dean at the end of the fifth over, when Dean was only the fourth bowler used.
What was the last time a player was awarded Player of the Match, after bowling only one over? Dean’s figures: 1-0-3-2.
Danielle Gibson was given another chance in the team, but it didn’t help that she batted No 7. She faced two balls and failed to score. Nor was her bowling needed. What was Jon Lewis’ thinking behind that?
Scores
England 89-6 (9 overs)
New Zealand 42-5 (6.4 overs)
Result, by the wonders of the DLS method, England won by 23 runs
And the Future
Still three games to come. Supporters will be eyeing Lewis’ selection policy with the greatest interest. Will Danni Gibson get a proper chance to show her abilities? Ditto every member of the squad?
Here’s a reminder of the full list: Heather Knight (Western Storm), Lauren Bell (Southern Vipers), Maia Bouchier (Southern Vipers), Alice Capsey (South East Stars), Charlie Dean (Southern Vipers),
Sophia Dunkley (South East Stars), Sophie Ecclestone (Thunder), Lauren Filer (Western Storm), Danielle Gibson (Western Storm), Sarah Glenn (The Blaze), Bess Heath (Northern Diamonds), Amy Jones (Central Sparks), Freya Kemp (Southern Vipers), Nat Sciver-Brunt (The Blaze), Linsey Smith (Southern Vipers), Danielle Wyatt (Southern Vipers)
This was the XI in the first match at Southampton: Wyatt, Bouchier, NSB, Kemp, Knight, Capsey, Jones, Dean, Ecclestone, Smith, Glenn
In the second at Hove: Wyatt, Bouchier, Capsey, NSB, Knight, Jones, Gibson, Ecclestone, Dean, Bell, Glenn
That means Bess Heath has yet to appear. Will she be allowed to wear the gloves? If not, she’ll have only her batting to be judged by. A few others have played only once, most critically Gibson at Hove. Filer, Kemp, and Smith must also be hoping for a second airing.
We’ll see whether the management’s policy is to give everyone a go (at least two goes?) or to keep picking the main guns, and see how many places are left over for the rest of the party.
The remaining games:
11 July, The Spitfire Ground, Canterbury
13 July, The Kia Oval
17 July, Lord’s
