England got their T20 World Cup campaign back on track in convincing fashion against Thailand in Canberra on Wednesday, after captain Heather Knight struck her maiden T20 international hundred to lead her side to a record 98-run win.
Knight’s partner for most of the England innings was Nat Sciver, the pair sharing a 169-run partnership – the highest for any wicket at a Women’s T20 World Cup – as Sciver brought up a 45-ball half-century, her second in as many matches this tournament.
Having helped England amass a total of 176-2, Sciver then chipped in with two wickets in the 14th over, decimating Thailand’s chase; the Asian side eventually concluded their innings on 78-7.
In truth Thailand – who freely admit they are a bowling side – never looked like getting close to the required runs, their efforts fizzling out in the face of some excellent fielding by a resurgent England, including a direct hit run out from Anya Shrubsole. Only opener Natthakan Chantham showed any resistance, acquiring a steady 32 (53 balls) before being trapped lbw by Sophie Ecclestone.
After their disastrous first outing against South Africa at the Waca Ground, the change of location from Perth to Canberra appears to have benefitted England: Knight in particular relishes batting at Manuka Oval, having hit all four of her 50-plus scores in T20 internationals here. After she was forced into defending her team’s controversial strategy of playing eight batsmen in the pre-match press conference, the skipper’s innings – the highest ever score by any England player at a Women’s T20 World Cup – could be interpreted as an act of defiance, though it was helped along by more than a handful of full tosses from the inexperienced Thai bowlers.
Her captain’s knock came at a crucial time: Thailand had given England quite a scare up front, after Amy Jones was stumped without scoring off the second ball of the day, advancing down the wicket to off-spinner Nattaya Boochatham. Opening partner Danni Wyatt then fell for a golden duck, driving into the hands of a diving cover fielder to leave England 7-2 in the second over.
The ever-reliable Knight and Sciver, though, calmed fraying English nerves with a partnership that began sedately with nurdled singles, before a significant push in the 13th over. Ironically it seemed to be the near-run out of Sciver that signalled the change of pace: advancing down the pitch from the non-striker’s end, she was sent back by Knight and had to dive full-stretch to avoid the incoming throw from Thailand captain Sornnarin Tippoch at cover. The very next ball, Knight brought up her 1,000th T20i run in style – sweeping Ratanaporn Padunglerd for six over backward square leg. From there, the pair never looked back.
England return to Manuka Oval on Friday for their next group match against Pakistan, another must-win encounter if they are to guarantee progression to the semi-finals. Wednesday’s performance at Canberra will be a significant fillip to those hopes.