The dropped catches will frustrate England. Otherwise they were impressive again.

England posted 219-1 against Sri Lanka and 200-5 against Scotland. This score was worth as many given the step up in opposition – West Indies knocked England out of the last T20 World Cup, remember – and the state of the pitch.

One concern is the form of opener Amy Jones, who sliced a catch to short third to fall in the first over for the second match in succession.

Afterwards England cleverly countered the slow surface with sweeps and reverse sweeps, scoring 49% of their runs behind square. They also ran 79 of their runs – impressive given the heat.

Wyatt-Hodge, who put on 66 with Alice Capsey (28), and Knight ensured captain Nat Sciver-Brunt was not missed at the top of the order and, with finishers Freya Kemp and Dani Gibson failing to repeat their Headingley fireworks, Dean and Sophie Ecclestone added three boundaries in the last over.

Sciver-Brunt, who had another scan on her troublesome calf on Wednesday, will now surely not be risked against the White Ferns.

England have reached the semi-final or final in five of the past six World Cups only to falter in the pressure matches. Here, though, momentum is building. This is starting to feel like a real opportunity.