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Defending champions England became the first team to enter the Super Six stage from Group A in the ICC Women’s World Cup when they recorded a six-wicket victory over the West Indies here today.
England shot out the West Indies for a paltry 101 in 36.4 overs after the latter opted to bat first at the BKC ground and then made heavy weather of the chase by making 103 for four in 35 overs to finish the league with four points from three games.
West Indies now await the result of the day-night game between hosts India and Sri Lanka, the fourth team in the group who have beaten England in the group stage, to see whether they go through on better net run-rate or get eliminated.
The holders started slowly with a half century opening stand, but lost four wickets in a heap before chasing down the modest target with plenty to spare.
Openers Danielle Wyatt, who made 40 in 80 balls with 6 fours, opened the England run-chase with Arran Brindle as skipper Charlotte Edwards was not feeling too well.
They suffered a mini collapse by losing the duo as well Sarah Taylor and Lydia Greenway as the score advanced from 66 to 79 and then managed to cross the line without further loss with Heather Knight (18) and Jennifer Gunn (4) at the crease.
In the morning the West Indies, who were on a high coming into this game after a comprehensive 209-run win over Sri Lanka, found the going very tough against the defending champions’ seam attack and were shot out in just 36.4 overs.
It left England with the easy task of winning the game at a very modest asking rate of 2.04.
West Indies, at one stage, were in danger of being bowled out for their lowest-ever ODI total when they were tottering at 31 for 6, 10 short of their lowest score.
The ignominy was averted by a 68-run partnership off 114 balls between Kyshona Knight (33) and Shane Daley (30 not out), the only two batswomen to prosper in the West Indies innings.
The next best individual score in the pathetic batting display was the number of extras, 28, conceded by England.
But once that partnership was broken, West Indies lost their last four wickets for just 12 runs, with Arran Brindle slicing through the tail to take 3 wickets in 12 balls without conceding a run.
The initial damage in the West Indies innings in the morning was done by England’s new ball bowlers Ketherine Brunt (2 for 6) and Anya Shrubsole, who picked up 4 for 21.
Shrubsole left West Indies gasping with a three-wicket burst for 8 runs in her first six-over spell and then came back to take the last wicket.
England would be the group toppers (A1) going into the next stage of the eight-team event where six teams from the preliminary round, including three from Group B who are playing their matches at Cuttack, play a game each against the other group qualifiers to spot the finalists.
Teams will carry the points earned against Super Six qualifiers from the same group into the second stage.
Three-time champions England defeated West Indies and India after suffering a shock defeat against Sri Lanka in their campaign opener.
Brief scores: West Indies 101 all out in 36.4 overs (Kyshona Knight 33, Shanel Daley 30; Katherine Brunt 2 for 6, Anya Shrubsole 4 fof 21, Arran Brindle 3 for 0) lost to England 103 for 4 in 35 overs (Danielle Wyatt 40, Heather Knight not out 18, Jennifer Gunn not out 4; Deandra Dottin 3 for 20).
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