England vs India: Alice Capsey and Heather Knight star with half-centuries as hosts win T20I series | cricket news

Alice Capsey and Heather Knight both scored half-centuries to guide England to a 2-1 series win in their T20I decider against India at Taunton on Tuesday.

Charlotte Edwards named an unchanged side to play in the series decider, but Capsey’s 82 off 43 deliveries and Knight’s unbeaten 70 will give the England coach more sorting headaches ahead of this summer’s Women’s T20 World Cup, as they cruised to a sensational partnership of 137 from 6 balls.

India set England a target of 181 to win after Harmanpreet Kaur smashed an unbeaten 56 off 40 balls with the help of seven fours. Deepti Sharma and Yastika Bhatia also impressed, both posting scores of 32 to put more pressure on the hosts going into the second innings.

England were sent in with a required run rate of 9.36 and, despite losing three wickets for 38 runs in six overs, superb performances from Capsey and Knight ensured the hosts a six-wicket win.

It was England’s women’s T20 team’s highest successful run chase at home, with Capsey, who completed her half-century off 31 deliveries, crowned Man of the Match.

Knight is also under pressure for a place in the squad for this summer’s Women’s T20 World Cup, given indifferent form over the past few months, but her excellent knock removes any doubt over whether she should be included in Edwards’ starting XI.

England lost Danny Watt-Hodge (5), Sophia Dunkley (16) and Amy Jones (2) early in the innings and Capsey and Knight faced the tough task of eating into India’s score, increasing their win rate to 9.53.

But England’s batsmen coped with the pressure and mounted an incredible chase, en route to a half-century off 31 deliveries.

“I thought it was outstanding,” Edwards said of England’s performance.

“We didn’t quite know what to do with the toss. Batted first before winning the game.

“But we really wanted to test ourselves. It was a good chasing ground.

“We have worked hard over the last few months to chase this big total and it happened just before the World Cup to chase this big total.”

Edwards “closer” to settling on his World Cup XI

Wyatt-Hedge and Dunkley each started the innings strongly, hitting four in the second over, before Kranti Goud produced an incredible inswinger that caught the latter off-guard, bouncing the delivery onto his middle stump.

Dunkley once again struggled to put up a big score to keep up the run rate in Wyatt-Hedge’s absence. He dismissed a ball from Arundhati Reddy at deep mid-wicket, but Jemimah Rodrigues was waiting for a lofted stroke, before Jones was also dismissed by Deepti Sharma.

Edwards has previously admitted he has had a “headache” trying to figure out his top order, but the England coach admitted on Thursday they are now “closer” to finalizing their starting XI, with his side’s opening Women’s T20 World Cup match against Sri Lanka just 10 days away.

Edwards has a logjam of five players battling for two spots at the top of the order. And after Capsey’s incredible shock, the England coach now wanted to bring the 21-year-old up even further.

“He (Capsey) was in our plan because he can play 360 degrees,” Edwards said.

“He can bowl, and he’s a brilliant fielder. The kind of player they want in your team. Unbelievable for a 21-year-old.

“The way he’s developed as a player this winter, and he’s worked so hard on his game, it’s really nice to see him get these awards.”

Pressed on who could start against Sri Lanka next week, Edwards said: “The competition for places in this team, they continue to perform and I think it’s great, we’re not only under pressure in games like this, but in the team now.

“I really think the 15 we have in this squad can play in an 11 and that’s a really good place to be as a squad.”

England is taking a positive approach ahead of the World Cup

There is much to be happy about for England after Tuesday’s win, with captain Charlie Deane enjoying another fine performance on the field, taking one wicket and two catches.

The captain was instrumental in helping his team get a breakthrough at the start of India’s innings. Linsey Smith forced Shafali Verma to clip an edge in the air, Dean turned to take a brilliant catch that put England on the front foot.

Yastika Bhatia came to the crease and took India’s run rate up after dismissing Verma.

With India in control, Dean, who took two wickets in Bristol and one in Chelmsford, then dismissed Smriti Mandhana lbw, momentarily halting India’s scoring deficit.

The captain’s work on the field appeared to lift her teammates, with Sophie Ecclestone producing a sensational direct hit from mid-on to take Bhatia’s wicket at a crucial moment in the match.

“We set the standards we wanted to put on the field,” Dean said. “The girls were fantastic with staying power.

“India hit a lot of boundaries and it can be difficult to stay on top when you are leaking runs at times, so you can ask our fielding performance to speak volumes.

“I’m really enjoying bowling and I feel like I have a plan. It’s getting out of hand nicely.”

Lauren Bell was the pick of the bowlers, taking two wickets for 36, notably dismissing Deepti Sharma as she began a 67-run stand with Harmanpreet Kaur.

The England pacer sent a slow delivery, Sharma lofted the ball to Dean, who was waiting at mid-off with the catch.

Capsey: Had ‘very quiet’ batting with Knight

Reflecting on the win, Capsey explained that it was very ‘quiet’ batting alongside Knight.

“It was really pleasing to get over the line. We talked a lot about chasing that big score as a batting unit so it was pleasing,” said Capsy.

“It’s been very quiet with Heather (Knight), she’s a very experienced campaigner and it’s always great to bat with her.

“It was about hitting the line of the ball because it was a beautiful pitch. I didn’t feel like I had to create anything.

“I just tried to live with the loss. In the second 10 overs, it was about finishing the game as quickly as possible, not too late.”

Watch every ball of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup live exclusively on Sky Sports and nowFrom the opening match on 12 June to the final on 5 July. Hosts England open the tournament with a game against Sri Lanka at Edgbaston (6.30pm start) on the opening night of the tournament.

England T20 World Cup Group Fixtures

All times UK and Ireland; All live on Sky Sports

• vs Sri Lanka (Friday 12 June) – Edgbaston, Birmingham (6.30pm)
• v Ireland (Tuesday 16 June) – Utilita Bowl, Southampton (6.30pm)
• v Scotland (Saturday 20 June) – Headingley, Leeds (6.30am)
• vs West Indies (Wednesday 24 June) – Lord’s, London (6.30pm)
• vs New Zealand (Saturday 27 June) – Kia Oval, London (6.30pm)