England beat West Indies in style to start an important summer

England got their international summer off to an emphatic win against West Indies at the Fischer County Ground, Leicester with a win by 208 runs.

England pleased with the winning margin but will be well aware that they can perform even better. In the field, England dropped catches and with ten overs would have been looking to a total nearer to 350 than their eventual 318 for 9.

It is as much to do with the standards that England set that those criticisms are focused upon. With Australia yet to come this summer the pressure is on the players in this squad with fringe players pushing hard to claim a spot in the starting side.

Surprisingly one of those players under pressure for a string of performances is Sarah Taylor. A five ball four is not what many expect from a player of her quality. She has, of course, had questions asked of her before but always fought back strongly.

Amy Jones has finally given the England selectors a problem to consider. Taylor is marginally the better keeper but Jones batting in the past year has been phenomenal.

Jones scored 91 today from 99 balls. It was her forth fifty in as many innings for England in ODIs. Along with Heather Knight the England captain, Jones helped England lay down a solid base. In doing so they held to extinguish a batting record held by Taylor.

For the third wicket, Knight and Jones added 146 the highest by an English pair against West Indies. Both disappointed to get out in the nineties and Knight all the more so as Shamilia Connell caught her off the bowling of Afy Fletcher for a run a ball 94.

Tammy Beaumont became the sixth fastest player to score 2000 ODI runs. Beaumont only scored 32 from 28 balls but looked to time her shots as well as ever.

Matthews was the pick of the West Indies bowlers with 4 for 57.

West Indies got off the worst of starts despite Anya Shrubsole struggling early on. Kate Cross replaced her early on and along with Katherine Brunt England never allowed West Indies to dominate.

Hayley Matthews started well timing the ball well, but she shuffled across a Brunt delivery too many and she was finally lbw for 17.

Shemaine Campbelle was bowled next ball. Stafanie Taylor was out shortly after caught at extra-cover by Knight from the bowling of Kate Cross. West Indies were 27 for 3.

It left echos of the 2017 World Cup for West Indies who were bowled out for 48 at this ground by South Africa.

As on that occasion, Chedean Nation top-scored for West Indies with 42 not out.

West Indies never recovered from the powerplay and England’s spinners Sophie Ecclestone and Laura Marsh returned figures of 3 for 30.