England vs New Zealand: Decision to retain Linsey Smith in bowling attack at 11-4 was ‘absurd’, says Tash Farrant | Cricket news
New Zealand beat England by 14 runs in a thrilling second T20 that saw the visitors level the series 1-1 and Monday’s decider was decided, but there was one decision that arguably changed the game.
Spinner Linsey Smith was England’s best bowler, taking three wickets from her opening 10 balls and leaving New Zealand 11-4 up after four overs – but was restricted to two overs in the powerplay after stand-in captain Charlie Dean decided to give the returning Izzy Wong the ball in the sixth over.
Wong hit 17 runs in her first two overs, allowing leading batsmen Sophie Devine and Maddy Green to build a match-winning partnership of 159 runs – leading to questions being asked about Dean’s decision to remove his top bowler at a crucial time in the match.
“You can keep him going. He bowled harder than anyone in the Derby – even more than the seamers,” said former England fast bowler Tash Farrant. Sky Sports.
“The only reason why he took it [Linsey] Smith is out to take the powerplay overs from Izzy Wong. He didn’t talk about that in his interview, but, to me, it was a no-brainer [to keep Smith in].
“I know in T20s a lot of people don’t like bowling bowlers for three overs in a row – but when Smith gets that from the right-handers he kills. He got three in his first over.
“He’s very important to England – I think they need to look ahead to Smith.”
Dean: Getting rid of Smith was a big leap
Smith celebrates after dismissing Melie Kerr
Despite his side’s result, England stand-in captain Dean defended his decision to drop Smith from the attack by swinging in favor of Wong.
“It’s too bad. Obviously I saved [Lauren] Steel on the other side. I felt we really needed one wicket and we could really finish.
“It’s tough to bowl three consecutive overs in the powerplay for anyone – even someone of Linsey’s stature. I’ll think about the changes I made, but I’m very happy and they played very well.
“Losing such a good position is always painful but credit to Sophie and Maddie and the way they batted – it shows that setting up batsmen at 10 and the death is very important.”
Smith will bowl more overs if it really matters, Doull said
Brooke Halliday was England’s fourth wicket and Smith got the third from 10 deliveries
Former New Zealand cricketer Simon Doull to Sky Sports:
“When you look at situations like this, you have to look at what England will do in the World Cup. Will Izzy Wong get a chance, and if he does, will he bowl the sixth over? Or are you looking to win the game?
“They started in their mind with the World Cup – they will probably look to the seamstress to close the powerplay. [in the tournament].
“These are the small opportunities you get in the build-up games to test that player.
“If it’s the semi-final of the World Cup, you might be throwing the third one.”
England vs New Zealand results and schedule
At all times in the UK and Ireland; all games are live on Sky Sports
Watch the Women’s World Cup T20 live in full on Sky Sports from June 12-July 5. Hosts England kick off the tournament on the opening night with a match against Sri Lanka at Edgbaston (kick-off 6.30pm).
