Women’s World Cup: Nat Sciver and Heather Knight lead England romp

There are many ways to get yourself back into the groove. England Women decided the best way was a blowout. Pakistan were the unfortunate victims, helpless, as England, scarred by an opening World Cup defeat to India, unleashed their fury to the tune of 377 for seven, eventually sealing victory by 107 runs on the Duckworth-Lewis method.

In terms of getting a World Cup campaign back on track, this was the way to do it. England had dished out thrashing after thrashing against Pakistan last summer. This total, having been asked to bat after the Pakistan captain, Sana Mir, won the toss in overcast conditions, is their best showing at a World Cup and one short of equalling their highest ODI total, against these opponents at New Road in 2016. That match felt like a significant moment: a young team, encouraged, unshackled and cashing in a licence to express themselves.

Of all the things Mark Robinson has implemented since taking over – from big picture stuff, to letting the team play football in the warm-up – it is the turnaround in their batting that is the biggest feather in his cap.

The bulk of England’s firepower came from Heather Knight and Nat Sciver, who both recorded maiden ODI centuries in a third-wicket partnership of 213 that spanned 30 overs. They came together at 42 for two, Kainat Imitaz accounting for Sarah Taylor and Tammy Beaumont, inside 10 overs. Their stand equalled England’s best for the third wicket.

Their hundreds were of equal importance but wildly contrasting styles, maybe even extensions of their personalities.

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Sciver’s was thrill-a-minute. She got off the mark with an edge through her legs – “not planned”, she said – but a punt through midwicket and a clubbed on-drive off Kainat and she was away.

No one knows just how good Sciver can be – as an allrounder, a batsman or a bowler. But what everyone can agree on is that she is a rare talent. The dressing room refer to her as the Ben Stokes of their side – “though not as aggressive”, Knight clarified. “Less red hair,” Sciver added.

Her ability to wed a technically strong set-up and a swashbuckling style harks back to a multi-sport childhood. Born in Tokyo, she played football in the Netherlands as part of a mixed side, before taking up tennis when she lived in Poland. Cricket was always a third choice, which, when you think about it, doesn’t seem fair. Sciver was the annoyingly talented classmate who put you to shame. One you can’t help but be happy for. Jumping around from country to country was down to her mum’s work in the diplomatic services. But, in Sciver’s opinion, it has imparted a clarity to her game.

“I would say travelling around when I was a bit younger meant I had to adapt to new situations,” she said. “It’s probably allowed me to be more flexible and more calm in general. I’m quite a relaxed person. It’s probably helped with my batting especially as it allows me to be level-headed.”

Her half-century took 35 balls – a period which shocked Pakistan and Mir into some bizarre fielding placements. Sciver went down a gear to bring up her 100, with a single off her 75th delivery. Her final 37 runs came off 16 balls, including three consecutive sixes off the medium pacer Asmavia Iqbal. When asked how she struck the ball so cleanly, she served up some pleasantries, before snapping out of autopilot to remark “it’s not rocket science”. Certainly not for her.

Knight’s century, brought up in 105 balls, saw her take the more scenic route, only bringing out her more expansive shots when that first 50 was in the bag. That was made up of 65 balls and seven boundaries that were exclusively fours. She added two sixes along with two more fours, which included paddle-sweeping to third man to take her to three figures. While Sciver’s striking saw her play second fiddle, Knight was a lesson in going through the gears. England spent the day before this match practicing on working slower bowlers into gaps – something that troubled them in defeat to India. Her execution of that plan is a testament to her diligence.

The pair’s hard work created the ideal jumping-off point for Danni Wyatt and Fran Wilson, whose cameos pushed England comfortably beyond 350. But as impressive as England were with the bat, Pakistan gave them a helping hand with some inconsistent bowling and amateur fielding. Their chase of 378 was notional before their openers had even strapped their pads on.

Barring a dogged half-century from opener Ayesha Zafar, there was nothing to suggest England were ever in trouble. Katherine Brunt’s two wickets, including a back-of-the-hand slower ball that bowled Javeria Khan, curtailed whatever threat there might be. Left-arm spinner

Alex Hartley took her first World Cup wicket when Iqbal was trapped in front just before the rain came, with just 29.3 overs played. By that stage, Pakistan were 107 for three, 107 runs below the D/L par score. A neat statistical quirk that summed up just how far apart the teams were.