Sky Sports activities Cricket’s Lauren Winfield-Hill believes that Heather Knight has confirmed her value for England after shedding the captaincy following a disastrous winter.
Following a 16-0 whitewash within the Ashes, Knight stepped down from her position as captain as Nat Sciver-Brunt took cost, with head coach Jon Lewis making method for Charlotte Edwards to take over.
The brand new period began with the opening T20I of their collection in opposition to West Indies as England walked away with a snug eight-wicket win.
Regardless of the refreshed outfit, it was a former skipper Knight (43no) that helped prepared the ground as England mounted their chase of 147, partnering with Sophia Dunkley (81no) as the important thing duo that shared an unbroken 91-run partnership.
In the meantime, Sciver-Brunt fell to a two-ball duck.
For Winfield-Hill, it’s a second that may have assuaged Knight’s personal doubts about her position within the aspect, reaffirming that she continues to be among the finest gamers England has to supply.
“I believe it can actually affirm her place on this aspect,” Winfield-Hill stated.
Hayley Matthews accomplished a surprising century off the ultimate ball of West Indies’ innings in opposition to England
“You’re not captain however goodness me you might be nonetheless among the finest gamers within the nation.
“There may be no one extra you need striding to the crease in that scenario, a few wickets down, than Heather Knight to see the sport dwelling.
“Notably in a chase, she is so good in a chase. She is aware of the tempo, she is aware of her strengths, when to tug the set off.
“That may simply be some good reaffirming for her that she has some actual worth for this aspect.
“As a result of, little doubt, she can have questioned that when shedding her captaincy.”
Dunkley: Knight has been excellent with the group
England’s Lauren Bell pulled off an excellent catch to dismiss Mandy Mangru
Dunkley was additionally filled with reward for her former skipper and batting companion, insisting that she has been “excellent” with the group all through the transition from her management into the brand new period.
Certainly, she believes “nothing has modified” relating to the management that Knight brings for the crew.
“Heather has been excellent across the group,” Dunkley stated.
“She’s a pure chief, everybody respects her, nothing modified in that respect.
“She batted very well, had a terrific partnership, and nice to see her on the market doing what she does finest.”
Newly-appointed England’s ladies’s cricket head coach Charlotte Edwards says she’s aiming to ‘discover the blueprint’ to assist the crew win main occasions
Whereas Dunkley believes not an excessive amount of has modified for Knight, she admits there’s a completely different feeling beneath new coach Edwards who has informed her to maintain issues “easy” and “calm”.
“Edwards is calm and clear in what she desires to do, we had an excellent week going into this recreation and it’s nice to start out with a win,” Dunkley added.
“I actually needed to return out and contribute to the crew and have an effect on the sport and I’m happy to have executed so tonight.
“She’s been clear with me about what she desires me to do, play to my strengths.
“My power is to hit good and straight and take the sport on once I wish to and be clear in my decision-making, nothing too on the market, preserve it easy and that is what I attempted to do tonight.”
England Girls’s summer time fixtures
All occasions UK and Eire; all video games stay on Sky Sports activities
T20 worldwide collection vs West Indies (Might)
One-day worldwide collection vs West Indies (Might-June)
- First ODI: Friday Might 30 (1pm) – Derby
- Second ODI: Wednesday June 4 (1pm) – Leicester
- Third ODI: Saturday June 7 (11am) – Taunton
T20 worldwide 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 Previous Trafford
- Fifth T20I: Saturday July 12 (6.35pm) – Edgbaston
One-day worldwide 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-Avenue
Watch England’s second T20I worldwide in opposition to West Indies stay on Sky Sports activities Cricket and Sky Sports activities Foremost Occasion from 6pm on Friday (6.35pm first ball). Stream cricket with NOW
