A ruthless England thrashed Scotland by 10 wickets at the Women’s T20 World Cup to all but secure a semi-final place.
Maia Bouchier (62no off 34) and Danni Wyatt-Hodge (51no off 26) powered England to an ask of 110 in just 10 overs, sharing the side’s first hundred opening stand in T20 World Cups since 2012.
The scale of the victory in Sharjah lifts Heather Knight’s team top of Group B, above South Africa on net-run rate, and they will secure a semi-final place by beating West Indies in Dubai on Tuesday.
However, England will qualify with anything other than a heavy defeat as their NRR is currently +1.716 compared to South Africa’s +1.382, giving them some margin for error.
England’s third win in a row was set up by the bowlers as they limited Scotland to 109-6, with spinner Sophie Ecclestone snaffling 2-13 and recalled seamer Lauren Bell 1-16.
Scotland, who have lost all four of their matches in their debut T20 World Cup, saw skipper Kathryn Bryce (33 off 28) and sister Sarah (27 off 31) top-score with the bat.
But their wayward bowling was brutally punished by England with Bouchier – dropped on 12 by Scotland spinner Olivia Bell – crunching 12 boundaries in a statement triumph for her side.
More to follow.