‘Heather Knight has confirmed her value for England after dropping captaincy’, says Lauren Winfield-Hill

Sky Sports Cricket’s Lauren Winfield-Hill believes that Heather Knight has confirmed her value for England after dropping the captaincy following a disastrous wintry weather.

Following a 16-0 whitewash within the Ashes, Knight stepped down from her function as captain as Nat Sciver-Brunt took rate, with head trainer Jon Lewis making approach for Charlotte Edwards to take over.

The new generation began with the hole T20I of their collection towards West Indies as England walked away with a comfy eight-wicket win.

Despite the refreshed outfit, it used to be a former skipper Knight (43no) that helped cleared the path as England fixed their chase of 147, partnering with Sophia Dunkley (81no) as the important thing duo that shared an unbroken 91-run partnership.

Meanwhile, Sciver-Brunt fell to a two-ball duck.

For Winfield-Hill, this is a second that can have assuaged Knight’s personal doubts about her function within the facet, reaffirming that she remains to be some of the highest gamers England has to provide.

“I think it will really affirm her place in this side,” Winfield-Hill stated.

“You are no longer captain but goodness me you are still one of the best players in the country.

“There is no person extra you need striding to the crease in that scenario, a few wickets down, than Heather Knight to peer the sport house.

“Particularly in a chase, she is so good in a chase. She knows the tempo, she knows her strengths, when to pull the trigger.

“That will simply be some great reaffirming for her that she has some actual price for this facet.

“Because, no doubt, she will have questioned that when losing her captaincy.”

Dunkley: Knight has been exceptional with the gang

Dunkley used to be additionally stuffed with reward for her former skipper and batting spouse, insisting that she has been “outstanding” with the gang all the way through the transition from her management into the brand new generation.

Indeed, she believes “nothing has changed” in relation to the management that Knight brings for the staff.

“Heather has been outstanding around the group,” Dunkley stated.

“She’s a natural leader, everyone respects her, nothing changed in that respect.

“She batted actually smartly, had an ideal partnership, and nice to peer her in the market doing what she does highest.”

While Dunkley believes no longer an excessive amount of has modified for Knight, she admits there’s a other feeling below new trainer Edwards who has instructed her to stay issues “simple” and “calm”.

“Edwards is calm and clear in what she wants to do, we had a good week going into this game and it is great to start with a win,” Dunkley added.

“I really wanted to come out and contribute to the team and have an impact on the game and I am pleased to have done so tonight.

“She’s been transparent with me about what she desires me to do, play to my strengths.

“My strength is to hit nice and straight and take the game on when I want to and be clear in my decision-making, nothing too out there, keep it simple and that’s what I tried to do tonight.”

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T20 global collection vs West Indies (May)

One-day global collection vs West Indies (May-June)

• First ODI: Friday May 30 (1pm) – Derby
• Second ODI: Wednesday June 4 (1pm) – Leicester
• Third ODI: Saturday June 7 (11am) – Taunton

T20 global collection vs India (June-July)

• First T20I: Saturday June 28 (2.30pm) – Trent Bridge
• Second T20I: Tuesday July 1 (6.30pm) – Bristol
• Third T20I: Friday July 4 (6.35pm) – The Kia Oval
• Fourth T20I: Wednesday July 9 (6.30pm) – Emirates Old Trafford
• Fifth T20I: Saturday July 12 (6.35pm) – Edgbaston

One-day global collection vs India (July)

• First ODI: Wednesday July 16 (1pm) – Southampton
• Second ODI: Saturday July 19 (11am) – Lord’s
• Third ODI: Tuesday July 22 (1pm) – Chester-le-Street

Watch England’s 2d T20I global towards West Indies live to tell the tale Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event from 6pm on Friday (6.35pm first ball). Stream cricket with NOW