Lane lauds England's finest fielding

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England women’s head coach Mark Lane believes his charges produced their best bowling and fielding performance under his tutelage in yesterday’s ICC World Twenty20 final.

The hosts crushed New Zealand by six wickets at Lord’s, skittling the White Ferns for 85 and passing their total with three overs to spare.

Right-arm swing bowler Katherine Brunt starred with 3-6 from four overs but there were two wickets apiece for fellow seamers Nicky Shaw and Jenny Gunn.

Wicketkeeper Sarah Taylor was also influential with two catches and a first-over stumping from off-spinner Laura Marsh, whom captain Charlotte Edwards entrusted with the new ball.

“I thought our bowling as a unit and fielding was stunning,” Lane told ECBtv.

Lydia Greenway pouches Sara McGlashan at long-off, part of a superb bowling and fielding display - according to Mark Lane

“Laura Marsh has bowled superbly well throughout this tournament and to give her the new ball on such a big occasion, Sarah Taylor took a brilliant stumping. It kind of got the momentum going.

“Katherine Brunt bowled with fire in her belly and couple of stunning catches from behind the wicket. As a team performance and as a bowling unit we talk about hunting in packs and stuff like that and they certainly did that.”

Lane, who was appointed coach in April last year, added: “But not just Katherine today, everyone, Holly Colvin bowled very, very well. Jenny Gunn bowled well when required and, like I say, as a unit it was fantastic.”

The 41-year-old, who became a father for the first time a fortnight ago, was emphatic England’s athletic display in the field left their opponents with no room for manouvre.

He picked out star fielder Lydia Greenway, who took a fine catch at long-off to dismiss Sara McGlashen, for special praise.

“I don’t think they were appalling at all. I think we bowled exceptionally well. I would probably say that’s our best bowling and fielding performance.

“We pride ourselves on our fielding and today they were stunning. Some of the stops that Lydia Greenway pulled off today, some brilliant catches, and we were just calm and we felt that it was almost surreal that it was happening around us.

“I wouldn’t say they are an appalling side. I think they’re still a very dangerous side but we never let them get going today. I thought we bowled straighter at them and put a bit of pressure on them straight away.”