Cricket: Heather Knight leads England Women to World Cup Final

Rochdale-born Heather Knight has lead the England Women’s cricket team to the ICC World Cup final after defeating South Africa in a dramatic semi-final on Tuesday (18 July).

England meet Australia or India, who face each other on Thursday (20 July) at Derby. If England’s victorious streak continues, a triumph in the finals will mean the team celebrating their first 50-over World Cup success in 24 years.

Winning by two wickets with 221/8 (49.4 overs), England secured their place in the final match in front of a 26,500-strong crowd at Lord’s on 23 July.

It marks the first World Cup as captain for 26-year-old Knight, who was appointed in 2016, replacing Charlotte Edwards after she stood down. Previously vice-captain for just under two years, Knight was called onto the England squad in 2010 as a replacement for injured Sarah Taylor and scored an impressive 49 in her international debut.

Knight began playing cricket in boys’ and men’s teams when she was just eight years old after moving to Plymouth as a young girl. A talented right-handed batswoman, she played for Plymstock Cricket Club and at county level for Devon. She was part of the England squad which reclaimed the Ashes against Australia in 2013 and helped retain them in 2014.

During Tuesday’s game, player of the match Sarah Taylor scored a terrific 54 (76), alongside Knight’s 1/8 (two overs), steering England to victory by two wickets. The final score was 221/8 (49.4 overs) to South Africa’s 218/6 (50 overs).

Knight was also voted player of the match during their quarter-final win against the West Indies, scoring 67 (88 with Aly Fletcher taking three wickets in 33 runs (10 overs).

England won by 92 runs scoring 220/7 (50 overs) against 128/9 (50 overs) by the West Indies.

Knight also scored her first maiden century alongside teammate Natalie Sciver during the Women’s One Day International (WODI) against Pakistan in the second round of the 2017 World Cup. Rain prevented Pakistan’s innings from continuing, allowing England to win (Duckworth Lewis method) by 107 runs- 377/7 (50 overs) to 107/3 (29.2 overs). Player of the match Sciver scored 137 runs (92 balls). When the match was called off, Katherine Brunt was at 2/21 (6 overs). England batted first.

The team have dominated in all but one of their games so far, only losing to India in the first round by 35 runs. England won the toss and elected to bowl first. England’s Fran Wilson was top batter with 81 (75); Knight was 2/41 (7 overs). The final score was 246 (47.3 overs) to India’s 281/3 (50 overs).

In round three England defeated Sri Lanka by seven wickets, bowling first, scoring 206/3 (30.2 overs) to Sri Lanka’s 204/8 (50 overs). Knight scored 82 (76) and player of the match Laura Marsh scored 4/45 (10 overs).

In the fourth round, after winning the toss and electing to bat, England defeated South Africa by 68 runs with 373/5 (50 overs). South Africa scored 305/9 (50 overs). England’s Sarah Taylor was voted player of the match.

Tammy Beaumont scored 148 (145) and Danielle Hazell 3/70 (10 overs). Beaumont and Taylor made the highest partnership for any wicket in a Women’s Cricket World Cup match.

In round five, England batted first after winning the toss, scoring their first Women's win against Australia in a World Cup since 1993- by just three runs. The final score was England 259/8 (50 overs) to Australia 256/8 (50 overs). Brunt was player of the match. Beaumont scored 49 (88) and Alex Hartley 2/31 (10 overs).

In round six, secured their semi-final place after defeating New Zealand by 75 runs. England won the toss and elected to bat first. The score was 284/9 (50 overs) to 209 (46.4 overs). England’s Katherine Brunt played her 100th WODI. Sciver received her second player of the match status of the World Cup, scoring 129 (111). Hartley scored 3/44 (9.4 overs).