Sophia Dunkley launches England into new generation with win over West Indies in first T20

This used to be intended to be all about England: a primary likelihood to evaluate how this crew will fare underneath the brand new head trainer, Charlotte Edwards, and new captain, Nat Sciver-Brunt. And certainly, Edwards might be happy that her reign started with an eight-wicket win, particularly as this used to be a homecoming of types for the previous Kent captain. As for Sciver-Brunt and her crew? They will most probably simply be relieved to enjoy their first style of victory in 5 months.

But in spite of England’s relaxed win (introduced up with 21 balls to spare), spearheaded by way of a assured unbeaten 81 from Sophia Dunkley and that includes a wicket on debut for the 27-year-old Warwickshire seamer Em Arlott, there used to be just one superstar of the display: West Indies captain Hayley Matthews, who flippantly introduced up a century off the general ball of the innings, completing unbeaten on precisely 100.

One hundred runs out of a crew overall of 146; 17 obstacles to Matthews whilst her teammates scored simply 5 between them. Matthews is by way of now used to bearing the load of the crew she has captained for 3 years – epitomised by way of her refusal to take singles within the ultimate over right here, as she eyed up 3 figures – however this used to be a specifically excessive instance of getting to concentrate on her personal recreation, within the face of chaos on the different finish.

If England had appeared all at sea within the box towards those similar fighters within the World Cup closing October, right here the tables have been grew to become, with two West Indian batters run out and the remainder swinging wildly, taking a look as though they have been nonetheless reeling from closing month’s failure to qualify for this yr’s 50-over World Cup. None appeared extra clueless than the 20-year-old debutant, Realeanna Grimmond, who used to be run out by way of Sciver-Brunt’s throw from mid-on after obliviously wandering out of her floor searching for a 2d run, and not using a scooby the place the ball may have ended up.

England, in answer, strolled to victory – the one downbeat notice being the duck scored by way of their new skipper, who edged a sweep at the back of the stumps and used to be despatched packing by way of a wise West Indies DRS evaluate. On the opposite aspect of the stability sheet, even though, used to be a chanceless knock of 43 no longer out from her predecessor, Heather Knight, apparently reasonably content material to search out herself again within the ranks.

If Edwards sought after to make a remark that issues had modified for the reason that crisis of the Ashes iciness, she may scarcely have made a more potent one: a cap for Arlott; Issy Wong again taking part in in a full-strength England aspect after a two-year absence; leg-spinner Sarah Glenn at the bench; and the up to now ever-present Sophie Ecclestone no longer even within the squad.

And her gamers answered in sort: England’s nemesis Qiana Joseph – who used to be dropped 5 occasions en path to the half-century which despatched England packing from the 2024 World Cup – used to be brushed aside first, neatly held by way of Linsey Smith at level. Sciver-Brunt then helped herself to catches at deep midwicket and canopy, handing Wong and Arlott a wicket apiece, as West Indies’ heart order crumbled. The mysterious absence of Deandra Dottin, who used to be not noted from the West Indies squad for this excursion with out rationalization, did not anything to assist.

Rain clouds had previous threatened to disrupt this fit – however for now, the solar shines on England’s new-look generation. They move once more on Friday, in the second one T20 at Hove.