Twitter Reactions: Danielle Wyatt, bowlers help England edge out Bangladesh in Women’s T20 World Cup thriller

England Team. (Photo Source: ICC)

England Women Captain Heather Knight had no hesitation to bat first on winning the toss, as Lauren Bell was dropped to include a fourth spinner into the English attack in Match 6 of the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024. The first three overs of England Women’s innings contrasted the latter half of the powerplay, as Maia Bouchier and Danielle Wyatt upped the ante to score 47 in the first six as their stand promised so much more.

One wicket brought the other as Rabeya Khan and Nahida Akter struck in consecutive overs to put the brakes on the opposition’s batting department. A collapse in the middle order ensued as none of the other batters could get a move on. Wyatt was the only batter who surpassed the 25-run mark, although even her innings were scratchy. A late flurry by Sophie Ecclestone who was partnered by wicketkeeper-batter, Amy Jones, led England to end up at a score of 118/7 after 20.

Members of Bangladesh Women must have felt that they were halfway there to scripting a famous victory. After all, excluding Shorna Akter who bowled the sole over, each of the others had done their job more than convincingly. It was up to the batters to return the favour.

The leg-spin duo of Fahima Khatun and Rabeya had done their job to perfection, conceding just 33 in their combined effort of eight overs. Ritu Moni, who didn’t get the opportunity to bowl in Bangladesh’s opening game, conceded just 24 in her allotted four overs. Coming to the run-chase, a similar pattern was observed as Bangladesh lost their first two wickets inside the powerplay.

The only difference in this case was that this occurred with a relative dearth of runs as compared to their opposition at the same stage. Due to the fact that they lost their way that early in the chase, the Tigresses had to play out the middle phase in a conservative manner. Overs 7-13 only resulted in 35 runs when in fact, Bangladesh were expected to make up for the lack of runs in the powerplay.

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Nigar Sultana fell for a 20-ball 15-run knock as the rest of the batting lineup fell like ninepins, with none of the middle as well as the lower middle order giving Sobhana Mostary the support she deserved. The final wicket to fall midway through the penultimate over was that of hers, as she departed for what could be said as a personal struggle.

Having faced 48 deliveries, she could only notch 44 runs. Apart from Ecclestone, each of the bowlers was in the wickets column. However, the pick of them was Linsey Smith, who ended up with splendid figures of 2/11 in her four overs to grant England Women a hard-fought but well-deserved 21-run victory.            

Here’s how X reacted to Match 6 of the Women’s T20 World Cup:

ENGLAND BEAT BANGLADESH IN WOMEN’S T20 WORLD CUP…!!!🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿⭐️

– England team defend just 119 runs at Sharjah, and beat Bangladesh by 21 runs#ENGvsBAN #T20WomensWorldCup#England #Bangladesh #Sharjah pic.twitter.com/36hGMlSZ4H

— 🏏CricketFeed (@CricketFeedIN) October 5, 2024

Until Australia arrives

— reo mikage (@reomikage_____) October 5, 2024

Our women’s cricket will never improve until the grassroots system is improved and the domestic players keep earning in peanuts.#T20WorldCup #BANvENG

— Delhi Capitals Fan (@pantiyerfc) October 5, 2024

Starting the #T20WorldCup with a win 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

A 21-run victory by Heather Knight’s team as the openers & spinners lead the way. #ENGvBAN pic.twitter.com/sDs5xRVtDA

— PCA (@PCA) October 5, 2024

England clinched an easy win, expertly strangling Bangladesh’s middle order. Chasing on these slow, turning pitches is always tough against a quality attack! #ENGvBAN #T20WorldCup

— Sudheer (@EpicCricketTalk) October 5, 2024

Clean bowled, Madam Ritu Moni V Madam Brunt ❤️#EngVBan #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/hLTLFhvp4c

— 阿舒 (@kumbhartoshashu) October 5, 2024

England starts their #T20WorldCup campaign with a strong win

— BabarAzamfans (@babarazam0111) October 5, 2024

Anything in excess is bad. I don’t mind a few low scoring games but the trend here isn’t the greatest here. And we have just started, don’t see surfaces improving as such, making this more of a concern. #T20WorldCup https://t.co/pzyoFseilx

— Kartik O 🏏⚽🔗 (@KOCricket528) October 5, 2024

Well done, it’s a team work.

— Dr. R. A. Khileri (@ram_khileri) October 5, 2024