England Women overcame West Indies by six wickets with Nat Sciver and Tammy Beaumont both passing 50, and Sciver also chipping in with four wickets.
After Tuesday’s attempts to get a game on were denied by the rain both teams returned 24 hours later in drier conditions, although the presence of strong winds made for an uncomfortable start.
The West Indies decided to bat first and they made a considered opening, Hayley Matthews and Felicia Walters battling against the conditions and a slow wicket to put on 39. Captain Anya Shrubsole – deputising for the injured Heather Knight - started up the hill and into the wind but England’s first breakthrough came when she swapped ends, nipping one back to clean bowl Matthews.
A series of LBWs then followed as England capitalised on the pressure they’d built up. Dani Hazell took the first with Walters trying to force the pace but succeeding only in finding herself trapped in front and Sciver then added two more with Kyshona Knight and Reniece Boyce both dismissed.
With the West Indies four down England were faced with the task of separating Stafanie Taylor and Deandra Dottin, two of the world’s premier players. The pair began to repair the West Indies innings, putting on 54 before Laura Marsh secured another leg-before decision, Dottin departing for 25.
The last five wickets fell in a hurry. Sciver returned to take two in two balls before Hazell repeated the feat and Katherine Brunt got in on the act to dismiss Taylor, whose lone hand as skipper had seen her make 59.
In reply England’s opening pair of Lauren Winfield and Tammy Beaumont started confidently, relishing the pace on the ball from the West Indies bowlers. The conditions by now were easier for both batters and bowlers, with the sun out and the wind far less strong.
Beaumont and Winfield proceeded to 52 before the latter fell to a fine catch at deep square leg. Sarah Taylor nicked behind early on but Beaumont found a willing partner in Sciver who wasted no time in getting set at the crease.
After the score passed 100 Beaumont reached her 50 but was LBW soon after, failing to get her pad out of the way of a straight delivery from leg-spinner Afy Fletcher. Fletcher had another soon after when Danni Wyatt fell the same way but Georgia Elwiss stuck with Sciver to see England over the line by six wickets in the 36th over.
With World Cup preparations at the forefront of both teams’ minds the decision was taken for England to bat through the duration of their 50 overs. Sciver was given the licence to go through the gears with the game already won and she put her foot down to reach 85 before being dismissed in the 40th over.
Elwiss, Jenny Gunn and Katherine Brunt – with Brunt particularly impressive - continued the attack and England ended their 50 overs on 281 for seven.