Sophie Ecclestone (3/23) struck with the ball first up before Nat Sciver-Brunt (40 not out) and captain Heather Knight (32 not out) did the needful with the bat as England beat West Indies by seven wickets in their Women’s T20 World Cup opener on Saturday.

The Windies won the toss and opted to bat but managed only 135/7. Ecclestone was spot-on in terms of her line and length with her left-arm spin, while leg-spinner Sarah Glenn (1/20) gave her good support with her tight bowling.

For the Windies, captain Hayley Matthews (42) was the sole contributor with the bat as the rest failed to deliver.

The target wasn’t at all a daunting one for this formidable England team. Opener Sophia Dunkley’s clean hitting in the Powerplay made their task simpler. Thereafter, Sciver-Brunt and Knight put on an unbroken 67 for the fourth wicket as England cantered home with 33 balls to spare.

SA’s heartbreak

Hosts South Africa suffered a three-run defeat to Sri Lanka in the tournament opener in Cape Town on Friday. Opting to bat first, the Sri Lankan women posted a modest 129/4.

But the South Africans’ run chase never really got going as they eventually finished at 126/9 as the Sri Lankans registered a shock win.

Summarised scores

⚫ West Indies Women 135/7 in 20 ovs (H. Matthews 42; S. Ecclestone 3/23). England Women 138/3 in 14.3 ovs (N. Sciver-Brunt 42 n.o.). England Women won by 7 wickets.

⚫ Sri Lanka Women 129/4 in 20 ovs. South Africa Women 126/9 (I. Ranaweera 3/18). Sri Lanka Women won by 3 runs.