Cricket: Australia thrash England in Women’s World Twenty20 final

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Rochdale-born captain, Heather Knight

A bid to become double world champions was not to be, as England, captained by Rochdale-born Heather Knight, were thrashed by Australia during the Women’s World Twenty20 final in Antigua on Sunday (25 November).

After winning the toss and choosing to bat, England were ultimately bowled out for 105 with two balls remaining.

Only captain Knight and Danni Wyatt reached double figures for England before Australia secured their fourth women’s T20 title with an eight-wicket win.

Speaking to BBC Test Match Special, Knight said: “We kept losing wickets at key times and weren't able to post a total that was competitive, but I'm proud of the girls for reaching another world final.

"We had a lot of inexperience out there, hopefully this will make it better for them in the future. Australia were better than us, so congratulations to them. We're a bit raw at the moment."

27-year-old Knight began playing cricket in boys’ and men’s teams when she was just eight-years-old after moving to Plymouth.

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.

Knight received an OBE on this year’s New Year’s honour list and was named among Wisden Almanack’s Five Cricketers of the Year for 2017 after she led the women’s team to a triumphant World Cup victory last summer.

Read more about Heather Knight and her team’s achievements:

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/news-archives?heather+knight