England battle back to level series

Ebony Rainford-Brent's 72 enabled England to set West Indies 233, a target the hosts fell 13 short of in St Kitts

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Ebony Rainford-Brent’s international-best 72 set up a 13-run victory that enabled England to square the one-day series with West Indies in St Kitts.

The opener made 72 from 116 balls, including seven fours, as the tourists posted 232 for five from 50 overs in the second one-day international of three.

England then improved dramatically on yesterday’s performance in the field, when they lost by 40 runs at the same venue, to dismiss the hosts in 47.5 overs.

Recalled Jenny Gunn made an important contribution with 57 from 78 deliveries including five fours in a second-wicket partnership of 100 with Rainford-Brent, who won the match award.

West Indies opener Pamela Lavine matched Gunn’s score, but two wickets apiece for opening bowler Katherine Brunt and captain Charlotte Edwards denied the hosts.

Debutante off-spinner Danielle Hazell, joining Gunn in the side in place of Isa Guha and the injured Lydia Greenway, bowled tidily with 1-41 from nine overs.

Edwards chose to bat but was bowled by off-spinning opening bowler Stafanie Taylor for 14.

Rainford-Brent and Gunn combined superbly with quick running between the wickets and despite a brief downpour at 83 for one, which caused a 15-minute delay, both reached half-centuries.

Off-spinner Cordel Jack trapped Gunn in front and, after Beth Morgan was caught cheaply, Rainford-Brent was stumped off Taylor.

Nicky Shaw perished in the same manner soon after but Caroline Atkins and Holly Colvin flayed 40 in the last four overs, both scoring at better than a run-a-ball with 44 and 19 respectively.

Katherine Brunt claimed two key wickets and also ran out Merissa Aguilleira for 44

With dark clouds overhead, Brunt struck with her fifth ball as Taylor was held at mid-off by Shaw, who then had Jack lbw for 13 as the hosts crawled to 68 for two in the 20th over.

Brunt again came to the fore, catching Lavine off left-arm spinner Colvin before Stacy-Ann King became 21-year-old Hazell’s first international victim, stumped by Tamsin Beaumont.

Edwards pinned Britney Cooper in front before Brunt struck two crucial blows, bowling the dangerous Deandra Dottin for 29 from 11 balls - including three fours and two sixes - and displaying sharp reactions to run out Windies skipper Merissa Aguilleira for 44.

Chedean Nation kept her side in the game with 17 from 12 but she and Tremayne Smartt were run out before Edwards had Anisa Mohammed caught first ball to clinch victory.

"We showed plenty of character and determination today in what was a must-win match for us," Edwards said.

"There was a huge improvement in our game but we still know that there are areas that we can work on before Saturday. The West Indies pushed us hard but in the end I think our experience in tight situations helped us win."

Coach Mark Lane added: "I thought we showed plenty of fight today.

"I was pleased with Ebony Rainford-Brent's controlled innings and the energy that Jenny Gunn and Caroline Atkins brought to the crease.

"I thought Katherine Brunt bowled with more aggression and determination today and it was a satisfying debut for Dani Hazell who picked up first wicket and good to see keeper Tamsin Beaumont get her first victim in only her second game.

"This sets us up nicely for Saturday when we're anticipating a big crowd."