Windies, England face off in search for top spot
Overview
Windies v England
WT20 Match 19
Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, Gros Islet
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Much like the big contest between Australia and India, which India won by 48 runs, the Windies v England game is also irrelevant in terms of semi-final qualification – both are in – but crucial because the top spot in Group A is up for grabs.
Not to forget bragging rights and momentum, the second very important keeping in mind the tough tests ahead.
Both the Windies and England have been solid so far.
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The Windies, to start with, looked fragile with the bat but were outstanding with the ball, beating Bangladesh by a whopping 60 runs after scoring just 106/8 and then putting up just 107/7 before stopping South Africa at 76.
Deandra Dottin and Stafanie Taylor were the bowling stars in those two games, and the two got together with Hayley Matthews to put up a sterling batting display in the third game, against Sri Lanka. Not to forget the three wickets Matthews picked up in that match too.
ENG v SA: Full match highlights
The big three are crucial to the Windies’ chances, and they came good with Matthews hitting 62, Dottin 49 and Taylor 41 as they scored 187/5 for an 83-run win.
That’s great news for the Windies, and stands them in good stead ahead of what promises to be a closely-contested match between the defending ICC Women’s World T20 champions and the ICC Women’s World Cup winners.
England haven’t quite put up the big, talked-about performances, but that’s mainly because they haven’t had to. Their first game against Sri Lanka was washed out, and they then won a rain-hit game with ease against Bangladesh before knocking South Africa over for 85 and strolling past the target.
They can do with a nice, old scrap, and the Windies are well-placed to provide them that, making this game a must-watch.
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Key players
**Deandra Dottin (Windies):**Of the big three, Dottin is perhaps the one that creates the most buzz, simply because of all the things she can do and the energy she brings to the field, whatever she might be doing. She has had a good time so far, and will look to put in an even stronger all-round show in the final group game.
**Natalie Sciver (England):**England’s team is full of stars, but like Dottin, Sciver is perhaps the best in terms of all-round class. If she scored a 17-ball 23 against Bangladesh, against South Africa she turned in a spell of 4-1-4-3 with her medium pace.
Conditions
The rain, as always, is just around the corner in Gros Islet, but the hope is that it stays away long enough for fans to enjoy what should be a cracker of a contest, with big hits from both sides.
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Squads
Windies: ****Stafanie Taylor (c), Merissa Aguilleira, Shemaine Campbelle, Shamilia Connell, Britney Cooper, Deandra Dottin, Afy Fletcher, Sheneta Grimmond, Chinelle Henry, Kycia Knight, Hayley Matthews, Natasha Mclean, Anisa Mohammed, Chedean Nation, Shakera Selman
England: ****Heather Knight (c), Tammy Beaumont, Katherine Brunt, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Tash Farrant, Kirstie Gordon, Jenny Gunn, Danni Hazell, Amy Jones, Nat Sciver, Anya Shrubsole, Linsey Smith, Lauren Winfield, Danni Wyatt