A large crowd at Grace Road in Leicester for the ICC Women’s World Cup 2017 game between England Women and Pakistan Women on a gloomy Tuesday, was treated to some special batting from Natalie Sciver and Heather Knight during the home team’s 107-run win on DLS Method.

Sciver, who became the first woman to be given out by the Decision Review System on the tournament’s opening day, continued her date with records with a 92-ball 137 that took England to 377 for 7. Having posted the second-highest team total in World Cup history, the home side then reduced Pakistan to 107 for 3 in 29.2 overs when rain arrived. Play was officially called off at 6:02pm local time, as England got in among the points after losing its opening fixture to India Women.

Sciver’s 213-run stand in 30 overs with Knight (106 in 109 balls) – England’s joint best third-wicket stand – was studded with 25 fours and three sixes. The assault from Sciver and Knight – both scored their maiden One-Day International centuries – as well as Danielle Wyatt (42 not out in 27) and Fran Wilson (33 in 19) underscored England’s superiority. England hit a total of 44 fours and seven sixes. For perspective, New Zealand Women’s 455 for 5 against Pakistan in January 1997 — the highest-ever total in ODIs, men’s or women’s — had 38 fours and two sixes.

Play started half an hour late because of a drizzle, and not long after that, Kainat Imtiaz trapped a shuffling Sarah Taylor in front of the wickets.

Imtiaz and Asmavia Iqbal were largely disciplined in the Power Play overs, and it resulted in Tammy Beaumont, dropped off the first ball of the match at first slip, edging Imtiaz to depart for 14. Sensing that another wicket could push England back, Sana Mir continued with the pacers until the 13th over.

The first signs of things to come were established in the 23rd over when Sciver reached her century in 76 balls. Knight joined her partner with a boundary in the 39th over.

After the show of England’s batting might, the focus shifted to the rain that was expected at 1:00pm local time.

The weather, however, stayed good for just long enough for Katherine Brunt to put her bad show against India behind and pick up two wickets, and Ayesha Zafar to record her highest score of 56 not out – Pakistan’s main take away from the day.

Today’s Match

South Africa Vs New Zealand

Venue: County Ground, Derby, England, 3 pm

 

Tomorrow’s Matches

India Vs West Indies

Venue: Bristol Conuty Ground, Bristol, 3pm

Sri Lanka Vs Australia

Venue: The County Ground, Taunton, 3 pm

Yesterday’s Result

England 377 for 7 in 50 overs beat Pakistan 107 for 3 in 29.2 overs (D/L Method)