England ‘trending in the right direction’ after reaching T20 World Cup semi-finals, says Tash Farrant | Cricket news
England are trending in the right direction at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, according to Tash Farrant.
England, again led by Charlie Dean in the absence of injured captain Nat Sciver-Brunt, qualified for the semi-finals with a game to spare after a 38-run win over the West Indies at Lord’s.
It was the hosts’ fourth win in four games, and Farrant says the performance has inspired a level of confidence in England’s prospects that has not been seen for years.
“This is the reason I have heard about the England team for the last five or six years,” Farrant told Sky Sports Cricket.
“They’ve got things they’ve been looking for for a long time – a long batting line-up, the bowlers of Freya Kemp and Dani Gibson.
“We’re saying this and they haven’t had Nat Sciver-Brunt in the last few games.
“Under pressure, they didn’t bowl Chinelle Henry well when he smoked a few to the boundary, and their performance dropped in the last few overs, but they went in the right direction.”
England, losing toss after losing toss, overcame the tense conditions at Lord’s to post 186-7 in 20 overs, thanks to contributions from stalwarts Danni Wyatt-Hodge (65 off 42) and Heather Knight (43 off 26).
Farrant examines how England’s two veterans continue to play such a big role in Charlotte Edwards’ side.
“Danni Wyatt-Hodge, his second best player at the World Cup… another fantastic performance from him,” he added. “He was very nice… very knowledgeable.
“West Indies didn’t bowl him well at first… they gave him a moment… then they kept the offside field high. They had no one in the deep cover boundary, which is completely against Wyatt-Hodge.
“Even if they bowl at the stumps, he can hit it until it reaches the offside, and then there is the same ball, he can sweep them.
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Danni Wyatt-Hodge discusses her impressive innings against the West Indies that helped England reach the semi-finals of the Women’s World Cup.
“He creates a lot of energy with the way he looks at fast songs… the perfect combination.”
“Heather Knight too, she’s been very good with the bat. She’s been very good for England at No.5.
“He’s a big character… you’ll know there’s been a bit of a debate about his strike rate. He’ll be very happy with the way he did today.
“He’s one of England’s best running backs… he plays the sweep and goes back and sweeps very well.”
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