Day 20 Talking Points: Brunt and Baig bounce back with the ball, Dottin doubles down on stunning catches

Hagley Oval, Christchurch - Match 24

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Diana Baig has found the step up in class at the 2022 Women's World Cup hard to handle as she claimed 2/168 in Pakistan’s first five fixtures.

But her opening spell in England’s innings proved worth the wait as the 26-year-old troubled experienced pair Tammy Beaumont and Danielle Wyatt with a precise line and length.

Baig bowled a beauty to trap Beaumont in front of the stumps that was given out on review and was unlucky not to finish with better than 1/14 off the six overs as England seemed to pick up the run-chase after the medium-pacer was rested.

Katherine Brunt was having an indifferent tournament after picking up 1/54 in England’s opening match against Australia then going wicketless in the next four matches.

But the 36-year-old bounced back against Pakistan starting with the first ball of the match that swung away from the right-handed Nahida Khan to have her caught off an edge at first slip.

Brunt later trapped Nida Dar in front and then bowled the dangerous Sidra Amin with a jaffa in an inspired spell that helped restrict Pakistan to a gettable total.

England will be hoping this was a sign of things to come for Brunt, who finished with 3/17 off eight overs, and that the veteran has rediscovered her best form at the pointy end of tournament.

The defending World Cup champions have offered up a mixed bag in the field throughout the World Cup, with far too many catching chances being grassed and one embarrassing moment against Pakistan where two fielders let a skied ball bounce in between them.

But England have also been sharp enough to deliver nine run-outs which has helped keep their semi-finals hopes in their own hands going into a final group match against Bangladesh.

Sophie Ecclestone, the No.1 bowler in the MRF Tyres Women’s ODI Rankings, is the only bowler to have earned more dismissals with 11 wickets, but if England can get their catching to match their throwing in the field, they will be well-placed to progress to the knockout stages.

Basin Reserve, Wellington - Match 23

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There have been several stunning catches in 2022 Women's Cricket World Cup after Deandra Dottin set the tone in the opening match with arguably the best of the bunch so far.

The all-rounder threw in another contender for catch of the tournament in the clash with South Africa when diving hard to her left and somehow getting two hands to a ball that was almost past her.

The catch to dismiss the in-form Laura Wolvaardt helped put the West Indies on the front foot in their must-win match but unfortunately, the rain returned to leave them now relying on other results to go their way to earn a place in the semi-finals.

South Africa made a strong start to the tournament as they won their opening four matches before being out-classed by Australia and stumbling against the West Indies in a mere 10.5 overs of play.

Banking the early wins means South Africa are now assured of a semi-final berth but they will be hoping that power-hitters Lizelle Lee (average 14.6) and Mignon Du Preez (ave 15.80) can get amongst the runs and find some form in the remaining group match against India.

Classy bowler Masabata Klaas will also be hoping to return from a shoulder injury in what now looms as an important tune-up for South Africa ahead of the knockout stages.