England cruise past West Indies

England have swept aside the challenge of West Indies in a punchy opening Group 2 encounter in Paarl, Nat Sciver-Brunt and Heather Knight sealing the chase with an unbroken 67-run stand.

Hayley Matthews, striking the ball cleanly, posted 42 runs off 32 balls for West Indies; but a solid total of 135 for 7 was made to look far from adequate, as England’s top order, dealing in boundaries, achieved victory with 33 balls to spare. West Indies were buoyed at the toss by the return of Stafanie Taylor, and were given a fast start by Matthews. They reached 47 without loss at the end of the powerplay, but Taylor, looking rusty, fell for 3 off 15 soon after. And when Matthews was the second batter out in the 11th over - one of three wickets for Sophie Ecclestone - it was left to Shemaine Campbelle to try and hustle a defendable total.

The West Indies #3 made 34 runs from 37 balls before falling to some smart glovework from Amy Jones, and England pulled off two runouts to help keep the shackles on through the closing stages. It was, nevertheless, West Indies' best total batting first in a T20I against England since they made 140 for 6 at Bridgetown in 2013.

In reply, England's spark came from Sophia Dunkley, who belted 34 from 18 as the powerplay yielded 58 runs - their best in World Cups. Both of the openers had departed by then, but Alice Capsey continued the freewheeling approach before Sciver-Brunt and Knight ensured there would be no slips-ups in the