England’s women are playing India in the second T20 in Bristol, where England have a strong record. England have won five of the six T20Is hosted here. However, their only defeat at this ground was their last match here, last summer – also against India.
Dunkley’s Early Opportunity
Sophia Dunkley has the chance from the very first ball. She has taken strike and Arundhati Reddy has the ball in hand. It’s a careful start with Arundhati Reddy swinging it in towards Sophia Dunkley’s pads. England’s first run comes from a wide. Gentle applause from those in the sunshine.
England are looking a bit tentative. Sophia Dunkley had the chance to hit Arundhati Reddy down the ground.
A Stroke of Luck for Dunkley
Sophia Dunkley gets down on one knee and whacks a bit of a slog over mid-wicket. Much better from Sophia Dunkley, in her slot. Mid-on and mid-off are inside the circle, she knows that even if she plugs she’s going to get two or three for it. It’s not even come off the middle of the bat.
Is this the moment that gets Sophia Dunkley going this summer? A massive stroke of luck as Jemimah Rodrigues – normally such a good fielder – puts down a sitter at backward point. Dunkley was dropped on 0 by Rodrigues.
That could be such a big moment in Sophia Dunkley’s career. There’s a tussle for places going on with a home World Cup on the horizon.
Wyatt-Hodge and Beaumont
Some good Indian fielding in this over denies Danni Wyatt-Hodge her first boundary. She has looked a touch rusty so far.
Che Seabourne said Tammy Beaumont has been going great guns recently for the Blaze at the top of the order. She hits lots of sixes too! Tammy Beaumont strikes at 110.08 in her T20 internationals. Che wonders if she was jettisoned too soon?
Dunkley’s Struggles Continue
Sophia Dunkley cannot capitalise on her life, as her struggles go on. It’s not a great ball from Nandani Sharma – one that’s there for Dunkley to cut. She throws the kitchen sink at it but gets a thin edge through to the wicketkeeper.
Dunkley fails to find the middle at the end of the over as Arundhati Reddy pushes one a little wide but she must be feeling so much better after that six.
The Need for Power Hitters
Steph Woodman says England need power hitters. Knight has been amazing over the years but in the modern T20 game a much higher strike-rate is required so it’s time for someone else to take her place. Well Sophia Dunkley has that chance from the very first ball.
John Sharp said that we currently don’t know whether Knight has lost it at international level, or is in a lull of form and will find it again. She’s earned the right for us to assume the it’s the latter until proven otherwise. She’s singlehandedly won England multiple matches.