Heather leads England to victory

A stunning innings of 40 from just 20 balls from Western Storm Captain Heather Knight helped see England claim an emphatic victory over India in the first IT20.

The visitors go one nil up in the three-match series courtesy of a 41-run win in Guwahati.

India’s skipper Smriti Mandhana won the toss and asked England to bat.

On a good wicket, openers Tammy Beaumont (62) and Danni Wyatt (35) combined for their fifth fifty partnership in IT20 cricket as England reached 80 without loss after 10 overs.

With the score on 95 for two, Heather came to the crease and set about India’s bowlers.

Her 23-minute innings contained  seven fours and took England to 154 for three.

England eventually posted a total of 160 for four from their allotted overs.

England wanted early wickets and they got them.

First stand-in keeper Beaumont, deputising for the unwell Amy Jones, took a smart catch off Katherine Brunt before Linsey Smith took two in two to put England in the ascendancy and India slipped to 23 fro three.

Wickets continued to fall as the England bowlers applied pressure and India eventually closed on 119 for six as England claimed the win by 41 runs.

Brunt finished with two for 21 whilst Smith claimed two for 22. There was also a wicket each for Anya Shrubsole and Kate Cross.

The second IT20 is at the same venue on Thursday.