'Settling In Quickly': England's Nat Sciver-Brunt On Successful Start To Captaincy
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Nat Sciver-Brunt lauds England's strong start under new leadership after a 108-run win over West Indies, with Sciver-Brunt as captain and Charlotte Edwards as head coach.
Captain Nat Sciver-Brunt praised England's impressive start under new leadership after they outperformed the West Indies by 108 runs in Derby, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series.
This victory was significant not only because of its margin but also because it symbolised a new chapter with Sciver-Brunt leading the team for the first time in ODIs and Charlotte Edwards beginning her tenure as head coach.
'The team did brilliantly. The opening partnership was stunning; they understood the conditions well, played brilliantly, accelerated effectively in the middle overs, and set us up for a great score," Sciver-Brunt told Sky Sports.
'With the change of leadership and coach, I'm most proud of how quickly we've settled in and committed to the things we wanted to do – forming huge partnerships and having top batters in towards the end of the innings."
The tone was set early by Amy Jones and Tammy Beaumont, who rewrote the record books with a massive 222-run opening stand, England's highest in women's ODIs. Jones, opening the innings for the first time since 2019, rewarded the team management's faith with a maiden ODI century, a knock 12 years in the making. Her fluent 122 off 121 balls, supported by Beaumont's 11th century, propelled England to a commanding total and ensured a celebratory mood in the dressing room.
'It's pretty special," Jones said after receiving the Player of the Match award. 'I've played quite a few ODIs, and finally scoring a hundred feels amazing. I was thrilled when Lottie (Charlotte Edwards) suggested opening. She backed me, and having that partnership with Tammy meant a lot."
The bowlers then supported the batters with ruthless precision. Making her 50-over debut, Linsey Smith stole the show with a five-wicket haul, becoming only the second woman to claim a five-for on ODI debut for England. The left-arm spinner, who made her T20 debut in 2018, had waited seven years for this moment and made every delivery count.
'It's all a bit surreal," said the 30-year-old Smith. 'To make my debut and help the team win with a performance like that, I'm over the moon. I never wanted to give up on my dream of playing ODIs. People have reminded me how long it's been since my T20 debut, but I'm proud I stayed the course."
Smith was ably supported by fellow debutant Emily Arlott, who also took two wickets and removed the dangerous Hayley Matthews to derail the West Indies' chase. England's control with the ball ensured that the visitors never seriously threatened the target, continuing their dismal run after being whitewashed in the T20I series.
(with IANS Inputs)
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