Nat Sciver-Brunt inspired England to a four-wicket victory over Ireland at the Women’s T20 World Cup but the win was overshadowed by an injury scare for the captain.
England maintained their flawless start to the tournament and restricted Ireland to 118, but the run chase was not without issues, even before the injury concern that threatens to derail their campaign.
Despite England only needing to score 119, they slumped from 27 without loss to 35 for three in 10 balls. But the experience of Sciver-Brunt alongside former captain Heather Knight put the side back in command with a 64-run partnership.
Just as it looked like England would see the game through without any major hiccups, Sciver-Brunt – after scoring a four through midwicket and with her side needing only nine to win – became the first player to be retired hurt at this T20 World Cup.
Having missed both the series against New Zealand and India in the lead-up to this tournament as she recovered from a calf injury, there were questions about Sciver-Brunt’s fitness, but she looked comfortable in the opening two matches – before abruptly leaving the field. She had felt tightness in her calf and went straight to the dressing room to be assessed by England’s medics rather than joining her team pitchside.
“Precautionary. I felt a bit of tightness in my calf and thought I’d better not push it,” Sciver-Brunt told Sky Sports. Knight added: “[It was] just a bit of a precaution from her to get herself off the field and it’ll get assessed over the next few days and fingers crossed.”
Sciver-Brunt’s importance to England cannot be overstated. Not only has she scored crucial runs in the two matches at this World Cup, but it also raises further questions about who could step in at No 3 if she is ruled out of Saturday’s match against Scotland and any subsequent fixtures. The most likely option would be Alice Capsey, but there would undoubtedly have to be a rejig of the batting order, and whoever came in could not match her experience.
“She brings so much in terms of her role in the batting order and her reliability,” Knight said. “Obviously, we’re really hopeful that she’ll be fine but I think one thing we have shown over the last couple of series, we’ve been able to do things really well without Nat.”
In terms of captaincy, Charlie Dean, who starred with the ball in taking two for 11 from her four overs, would step in. She had never captained the national side before taking charge for the two white-ball series before the World Cup, but impressed with her tactics and determination in those matches, although the pressure of an international tournament will bring with it an added spotlight on the role.
It was Dean who had to come on in the closing stages against Ireland to help England secure victory. Freya Kemp was run out shortly after Knight had left the field, so it was left to Dani Gibson and Dean to score the requisite eight runs and maintain England’s winning start.
The rain-delayed start meant that the stands were less than half-full by the time England clinched victory, almost an hour after a T20 would have been expected to visit, which is disappointing for a tournament that has yet to capture the imagination.
While England’s opener attracted 15,000 fans and Pakistan’s match against India almost 19,000, there were only 9,021 in attendance for this match on the south coast.
Those who were in Southampton did see Orla Prendergast, probably the only player in Ireland’s side who deserves the title of world class, score 26 runs and then cause England problems with ball in hand. That included a perfect outswinging yorker that proved too good for Capsey and saw England slip to 35 for three.
But Knight (26) and Sciver-Brunt (48) both played well, finding the gaps at regular intervals to keep the scoreboard in England’s favour.
It may have taken England longer than they would have wanted to seal the victory, which came in the 18th over of the second innings, but after two wins from two, the main concern is Sciver-Brunt’s fitness.
Nat Sciver-Brunt’s reaction
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[On England’s Two very different games, but we got over the line so we’re happy.
[On her decision to retire out] It was just precautionary; I felt a bit of a tightness so I thought I shouldn’t push it.
Charlie Dean on Nat Sciver-Brunt’s injury scare
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She just had a bit of tightness in her calf. It’s credit to Nat that she made sure not to do any further damage. I guess I’m on standby but hopefully I won’t be needed!
The player of the match is Sophie Ecclestone
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It’s so nice to start to get off to a winning start and hopefully we can keep that going.
I’m not really a stats girl so to here [she is now in the top five women’s T20I wicket-takers] is really exciting.
Sciver-Brunt being assessed by medical staff
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England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt felt tightness in her calf and retired out as a precaution. She is currently being assessed by England medics.
England win by four wickets!
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OVER 17.3: ENG 119/6 (Gibson 3 Dean 4) The match concludes with a wide from Alice Tector. England made hard work of what looked a routine runchase, but their main concern is the fitness of Nat Sciver-Brunt after she retired out on 48.
OVER 17: ENG 115/6 (Gibson 1 Dean 4)
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The new batter Charlie Dean squeezes a full ball past point for four. England are one boundary away from a slightly laboured victory.
Wicket!
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Kemp run out 2 England are limping over the finish line. Ferya Kemp has been run out after some smart work from the Ireland keeper Amy Hunter. FOW: 111/6
OVER 16: ENG 111/5 (Kemp 2 Gibson 1)
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Hang on, what’s happening here: Nat Sciver-Brunt has retired out on 48. This is a huge concern for England given her calf injury leading into the tournament.
She struck Tector through midwicket and then walked straight off the field. No obvious sign of distress, but it’s hard to see why else she would do it. England will hope it’s just a precaution.
OVER 15: ENG 104/4 (Sciver-Brunt 43 Kemp 1)
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Sciver-Brunt unsuccessfully reviews a potential no-ball after receiving a full toss from Maguire . It looked a clear no-ball to the naked eye, but Sciver-Brunt was on the move and technology showed the ball would have dipped below the waist had she been on the crease line.
More importantly in the grand scheme, NSB looks in great touch. In this World Cup she has scored 89 runs from 55 balls without being dismissed.
OVER 14: ENG 99/4 (Sciver-Brunt 39 Kemp 0)
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Prendergast finishes with figures of 4-0-17-2.
Wicket!
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Knight LBW b Prendergast 26 Ireland review for LBW when Knight flicks across the line at Prendergast and misses. It looks close... and it’s out! Prendergast, who has been outstanding, has her second wicket. FOW: 99/4
OVER 13: ENG 95/3 (Sciver-Brunt 36 Knight 25)
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Knight gets her second boundary with a punishing sweep off Maguire. England are closing in on victory.
OVER 12: ENG 87/3 (Sciver-Brunt 33 Knight 19)
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A wide from the teenager Alice Tector brings up the fifty partnership between Sciver-Brunt and Knight. They’re taken minimal risk and still scored at more than a run a ball.
England need 33 from 48 balls.
OVER 11: ENG 77/3 (Sciver-Brunt 30 Knight 15)
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No need for any risks in that over from Kelly: four singles and a two keep England on course.
OVER 10: ENG 71/3 (Sciver-Brunt 28 Knight 11)
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After playing a supporting role to Sciver-Brunt at the start of her innings, Knight pulls Dalzell impressively round the corner for four. England are cruising: they need 48 from 60 balls.
OVER 9: ENG 62/3 (Sciver-Brunt 24 Knight 6)
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Sciver-Brunt cuffs a short ball from Murray over mid-on for four. She and Knight have used their enormous experience - 68 years, 594 international caps between them - to ensure the drama of those three quick wickets didn’t turn into a crisis.
OVER 8: ENG 54/3 (Sciver-Brunt 19 Knight 3)
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Alana Dalzell’s first ball is pulled for four with a touch of disdain by Sciver-Brunt. She looked in great touch against Sri Lanka, when she was overshadowed by Wyatt-Hodge, and has started equally well tonight.
OVER 7: ENG 44/3 (Sciver-Brunt 11 Knight 1)
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The legspinner Cara Murray starts with a short ball that is cracked for four by Sciver-Brunt. Nine from the over in total, a restorative one for Enand.
OVER 6: ENG 35/3 (Sciver-Brunt 3 Knight 0)
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Heather Knight is the new batter. Another quick wicket would make this really interesting.
Wicket!
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Capsey b Prendergast 5 Another one gone! The ball after being hit for four, Orla Prendergast produces a sizzling yorker that bowls Alice Capsey all ends up. Ireland have taken three wickets in 10 balls. FOW: 35/3
OVER 5: ENG 30/2 (Sciver-Brunt 2 Capsey 1)
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Nothing to worry about yet for England, but those wickets have changed the complexion of the game.
Wicket!
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Wyatt-Hodge c Lewis b Maguire 16 Hello! Wyatt-Hodge slices Maguire to mid-off, where Lewis takes a more comfortable catch and clenches her fists in celebration. Ireland have taken two wickets in three balls. FOW: 28/2
Wicket!
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Jones c Lewis b Maguire 9 The Ireland captain Gaby Lewis takes a fine catch to dismiss Amy Jones, who tried to drive Maguire inside-out and screwed the ball to the left of mid-off. Lewis ran round and crouched to grab the ball with both hands. FOW: 27/1
OVER 4: ENG 27/0 (Jones 10 Wyatt-Hodge 16)
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Jones walks across to Prendergast, scuffs a premeditated pull shot and is dropped by the keeper Hunter. It was a pretty tough chance to her left. Jones takes advantage of the reprieve to wave an elegant cover drive for four. England are cruising.
OVER 3: ENG 20/0 (Jones 4 Wyatt-Hodge 15)
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The inswing bowler Arlene Kelly comes into the attack. Wyatt-Hodge mistimes a swipe across the line but gets enough on it to clear mid-on for a one-bounce four.
The next ball, only fractionally short, is nailed to the cover boundary. Only seriously good batters can play a shot like that.
OVER 2: ENG 8/0 (Jones 1 Wyatt-Hodge 6)
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Ireland’s star player, the allrounder Orla Prendergast, starts with an excellent over, mostly to Wyatt-Hodge, that costs only two.
OVER 1: ENG 6/0 (Jones 1 Wyatt-Hodge 5)
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Jones clips her first ball for a single. Danni Wyatt-Hodge, fresh from that wonderful hundred on Friday, starts with three dot balls before cuffing a boundary wide of mid-on.
Time for the run chase
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Amy Jones will face the first ball from the left-arm spinner Aimee Maguire.
A solid performance in the field
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Everything has gone to plan as far as England are concerned, they have got Ireland on the back foot and now face a chase of less than a run a ball.
Their fielding, which has so often been a source of scrutiny, was solid and they held their catches well. Although there were a few too many wayward deliveries, it would be hard to criticise considering the low total Ireland posted.
OVER 20: IRE 118/9 (Little 26 Maguire 1)
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A cracking finish from Lou Little, who was brought into the team tonight. She hits four boundaries off Lauren Bell to make a career-best score, 26 from 15 balls, and take Ireland to a total of 118 for 9. England need 119 to win.
OVER 19: IRE 101/9 (Little 10 Maguire 0)
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Sophie Ecclestone ends a good night’s work with figures of 4-0-22-3, her best T20I figures since 2024.
The last couple of years have been tough at times, but she will always be a spinner of rare class.
Wicket!
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Murray c Capsey b Ecclestone 1 Two wickets in four balls. Cara Murray mistimes Ecclestone back over her head and is well caught by Capsey running round from mid-off. FOW: 100/9
Wicket!
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Kelly c Knight b Ecclestone 7 Kelly has a hack at Ecclestone and slices a simple catch to Heather Knight at backward point. FOW: 98/8
OVER 18: IRE 98/7 (Little 9 Kelly 7)
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Linsey Smith finishes with figures of 4-0-20-1.
OVER 16: IRE 89/7 (Little 5 Kelly 2)
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Arlene Kelly slugs Bell just over Sciver-Brunt, charging back from mid-on. Bell responds with a lovely slower ball that is edged onto the thigh of Jones standing up to the stumps. Not sure that counts as a chance.
OVER 15: IRE 82/7 (Little 0 Kelly 0)
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Dean finishes with impressive figures of 4-1-11-2. She’s a class act - an ultra-reliable senior player at the age of 25.
Wicket!
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Paul LBW b Dean 10 The left-handed Leah Paul misses a whip across the line and is plumb LBW. Charlie Dean has her second and England are in complete control in Southampton. FOW: 82/7
OVER 14: IRE 78/6 (Paul 6)
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Time for a drinks break. Or do we have to call them hydration breaks now?
Wicket!
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Tector c Sciver-Brunt b Gibson 10 An expensive over from Gibson ends on a high note when Tector drags straight to mid-on. Gibson has two wickets, England have six. FOW: 78/6
OVER 13: IRE 68/5 (Paul 5 Tector 5)
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England might have said yesterday that they were not having any conversations about net run rate, but it can so often prove important in T20 World Cups.
They might be mindful of it now and will want to squeeze Ireland and take the remaining wickets rather than letting them meander along.
OVER 12: IRE 63/5 (Paul 3 Tector 2)
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Kemp is the only England bowler yet to take a wicket tonight, though she did pick up career-best figures of 4/22 against Sri Lanka on Friday so it’s hardly a drought.
She has an LBW turned down when Tector pushes around a nice nipbacker; it looked slightly high.
OVER 11: IRE 59/5 (Paul 1 Tector 0)
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After another good over, Charlie Dean has exceptional figures of 3-1-7-1.
OVER 10: IRE 57/5 (Paul 0 Tector 0)
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Five wickets have fallen to five different bowlers.
Wicket!
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Prendergast b Gibson 26 Prendergast cuts Dani Gibson’s first ball emphatically for four - but she tries again later in the over and drags it back onto the stumps. I think she misread the line, because that particular ball was too close to cut. Prendergast goes after a charming cameo of 26 from 18 balls. FOW: 57/5
OVER 9: IRE 53/4 (Prendergast 22 Paul 0)
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Leah Paul chips her first ball fractionally short of Nat Sciver-Brunt at short midwicket.
Wicket!
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Stokell st Jones b Ecclestone 9 A majestic stumping from Amy Jones. Stokell was beaten through the gate by a quicker ball from Ecclestone, and Jones - who would have been unsighted - had the bails off before the rest of us knew where the ball was. That is so good. FOW: 53/4
OVER 8: IRE 50/3 (Prendergast 20 Stokell 8)
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Freya Kemp comes into the attack and is struck for four by Stokell, thanks in part to a rare misfield from Smith.
Stokell is making her 100th international appearance tonight.
OVER 7: IRE 43/3 (Prendergast 19 Stokell 2)
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Dean’s first ball is swept for four by Prendergast, but she responds excellently to concede only one run for the last five deliveries.
Prendergast, who has 19 from 11 balls, is the wicket England really want.
A superb powerplay for England
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At the end of the powerplay, England could not have hoped for better. They have been good in the field and well organised, while taking all of the chances they have created.
OVER 6: IRE 38/3 (Prendergast 14 Stokell 2)
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Prendergast skips back to cut Sophie Ecclestone’s first ball expertly for four. Later in the over she drives beautifully over mid-off for a one-bounce four.
Thirteen from the over in total. Those were two high-class shots from Prendergast, who would get into most teams - if not all of them - at this World Cup.
OVER 5: IRE 25/3 (Prendergast 3 Stokell 0)
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A wicket maiden for Charlie Dean; there won’t be many of those in this World Cup.
Wicket!
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Dalzell c Kemp b Dean 14 Charlie Dean needs only three balls to take her first wicket. Dalzell toe-ended a drive towards extra cover and was comfortably taken by Freya Kemp. FOW: 25/3
OVER 4: IRE 25/2 (Dalzell 14 Lewis 3)
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Dalzell thumps Smith down the ground for four to move into double figures for the first time in her T20I career.
There’s a gulf in class, sure, but Ireland are trying to take the England bowlers on rather than limp towards an under-par total.
OVER 3: IRE 17/2 (Dalzell 8 Lewis 1)
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Ireland’s best batter, Orla Prendergast, eases her first ball behind square for a single.
Wicket!
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Lewis c Knight b Bell 0 A golden duck for the Ireland captain Gaby Lewis. She middled a premeditated sweep off Bell but hit it straight to short fine leg, where Heather Knight took a fine catch. FOW: 16/2
OVER 2: IRE 8/1 (Dalzell 1 Lewis 0)
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That was textbook stuff from Linsey Smith: you miss, I’ll hit.
Wicket!
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Hunter b Smith 6 Linsey Smith, the world’s No1 bowler in this format, strikes with the last ball of her first over. After a couple of close shaves for Dalzee, Hunter missed a sweep at a ball that went straight on to ping the off stump. FOW: 8/1
OVER 1: IRE 6/0 (Hunter 5 Dalzell 0)
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Lauren Bell’s first ball is too straight and touched off the hip for four by Amy Hunter. It was in the air but wide of the diving Amy Jones.
Bell’s third delivery is an off-side wide, but she finds her line after that and bowls four successive dot balls to Dalzell.
Group B blown open by Sri Lanka win
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It is the same England team, perhaps unsurprisingly, as the one who beat Sri Lanka easily on Friday night and they will want to keep that momentum going forwards, with the group blown open after Sri Lanka’s surprise win over New Zealand earlier today.
Team news
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England are unchanged. Ireland bring in Lou Little for Ava Canning, who has been left out as an injury precaution. Keep an eye out for Orla Prendergast, a phenomenal talent with bat and ball.
England Wyatt-Hodge, Jones (wk), Sciver-Brunt (c), Capsey, Knight, Kemp, Gibson, Dean, Ecclestone, Smith, Bell.
Ireland Hunter (wk), Dalzell, Lewis (c), Prendergast, Stokell, Paul, Tector, Kelly, Little, Murray, Maguire.
England win the toss and bowl
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Batting second is usually the way to go in a rain-affected game, so no surprise at Nat Sciver-Brunt’s decision.
Match to begin at 7.35pm
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No official time for the toss but it should be very soon.
Inspection at 7pm
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The umpires will look at conditions in just under 20 minutes’ time. The drainage is excellent so hopefully the delay shouldn’t be too great.
Delayed start in Southampton
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The match should be getting under way about now, but we haven’t had the toss because of persistent rain. But the skies have cleared and we should get a game, if not necessarily the full 20 overs per side.
The Group B table
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- England P1 Pts2 (NRR+4.35)
- Scotland P1 Pts2 (+2.00)
- West Indies P1 Pts2 (+0.12)
- Sri Lanka P2 Pts2 (-2.04)
- New Zealand P2 Pts0 (-0.20)
- Ireland P2 Pts1 (-2.00)
Toss delayed
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The toss might be delayed for quite some time, the rain started as a spatter about half an hour ago but seems to have well and truly set in here now.
The covers are on
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There’s a bit of rain at Southampton, not that it has dampened Sri Lanka’s euphoric celebrations. There’s a chance of a delayed start, but the forecast is a lot better from around 7pm.
Good evening
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Hello and welcome to live, over-by-over coverage of England v Ireland in the T20 Women’s World Cup. England started the tournament with a spectacular statement of intent, thrashing a decent Sri Lanka side by 87 runs, and are overwhelming favourites to beat Ireland at Southampton.
Ireland began their campaign with a 40-run defeat to Scotland, and if they beat England tonight it will be among the greatest upsets in women’s cricket history. The ideal for England is that they make it two wins out of two - and give their net run-rate another boost, just in case - in front of another partisan crowd.
“The crowd at Edgbaston on Friday night just summed it all up; they were so supportive, properly behind us,” said England’s premier fast bowler Lauren Bell, who is playing on her home ground tonight. “It gives you an extra boost, it gives you extra nerves but also extra excitement.”
In recent years, Bell has emerged as one of the best quick bowlers in world cricket. “I had a lot to learn from my debut to now and I’ve done it on the international stage, it’s been incredible. I’m in the team to take Powerplay wickets and come back at the death. It brings out the best in me, having responsibility and a really clear role.”
Bell is also conscious of being a role model for the next generation of women’s cricketers. “I guess it is all part of the job now,” Bell said. “I think it’s really important. I do really enjoy it because growing up I didn’t have that female role model so I’m really passionate about having that for younger girls and inspiring them to take up cricket.”
Plenty of young girls in Sri Lanka will have been inspired by events at Southampton today. They have just chased 151 to beat the holders New Zealand, an outstanding performance that pushes New Zealand to the brink of elimination – and keeps Sri Lanka right in contention for the semi-finals.
Tonight’s match starts at 6.30pm – we’ll have the toss and team news shortly.