England Women Clinch 3-0 Series Victory as Heather Knight Defies Injury in 3rd T20I
In a thrilling encounter at the County Ground, Derby, England Women secured a commanding 3-0 series victory over West Indies Women in the third T20 International. Captain Heather Knight showcased remarkable grit and determination, overcoming a hamstring injury to lead her side to a clinical win. Despite a stellar all-round performance from West Indies’ Hayley Matthews, the visitors fell short against a disciplined and well-executed English bowling and batting display.
West Indies Women Fight Hard in First Innings
Batting first, West Indies Women started strongly, anchored by Hayley Matthews who scored a composed 63 runs off 47 balls. Matthews’ innings was highlighted by six boundaries and a towering six, providing stability as wickets fell around her. However, England’s bowling attack, spearheaded by Sarah Glenn and Charlie Dean, applied relentless pressure in the middle overs.
Sarah Glenn was particularly effective, claiming key wickets including Kycia Knight and Stafanie Taylor in quick succession. Glenn finished with impressive figures of 3 wickets for 21 runs in her four overs, restricting the West Indies to a below-par total of 138 for 6 in their allotted 20 overs on a pitch that offered good batting conditions.
Knight and Sciver-Brunt Guide England’s Chase
Chasing 139, England Women faced an early setback when opener Danni Wyatt was dismissed cheaply for 5 runs. However, the experienced pairing of Heather Knight and Nat Sciver-Brunt steadied the innings with a crucial 72-run partnership. Knight, hampered by her hamstring strain, played a smart and tactical innings, focusing on rotating the strike and finding gaps rather than aggressive stroke play.
Knight’s resilience was evident as she scored 41 runs off 38 balls before retiring hurt in the 17th over. Nat Sciver-Brunt then took charge, finishing unbeaten on 52 runs from 39 balls. She sealed the victory with a boundary in the 19th over, guiding England to 141 for 4 and a comfortable six-wicket win.
Match Summary
| Venue | County Ground, Derby |
|---|---|
| Toss | West Indies Women won, chose to bat |
| West Indies Women Score | 138/6 (20 overs) |
| England Women Score | 141/4 (19.1 overs) |
| Result | England Women won by 6 wickets |
| Player of the Match | Heather Knight (ENG) |
| Series Result | England Women won 3-0 |
Player Reactions
“It’s been a great series. Everyone stepped up when needed. I wasn’t 100%, but proud to get us over the line today.” – Heather Knight
“We’re improving game by game. There are positives to take, but we need to support each other better in pressure moments.” – Hayley Matthews
What This Win Means for England Women
This comprehensive 3-0 series sweep sets a strong foundation for England Women as they prepare for the upcoming Women’s T20 World Cup 2025. The team’s top-order batting is firing on all cylinders, the middle order remains stable, and their spin-heavy bowling attack continues to dominate opposition line-ups. Heather Knight’s leadership, especially while managing injury, highlights the squad’s depth and resilience under pressure.
Standout Performers of the Series
- Heather Knight: Leadership and crucial runs under pressure
- Sarah Glenn: 7 wickets in 3 matches, key in restricting opponents
- Hayley Matthews: 160+ runs and 4 wickets, shining for West Indies
- Nat Sciver-Brunt: Calm finisher in two successful chases
Looking Ahead
England Women will next compete in a tri-series in August, followed by final preparations for the T20 World Cup. For West Indies Women, the series revealed promising signs under Hayley Matthews’ leadership, but they will need stronger middle-order contributions and more consistent bowling performances to challenge the world’s best teams.
Conclusion
The 3rd T20I between England Women and West Indies Women was a captivating contest that highlighted individual brilliance and collective team spirit. England’s 3-0 series victory confirms their status as strong contenders for upcoming ICC tournaments. Meanwhile, West Indies, despite Matthews’ outstanding efforts, must regroup and address consistency issues to compete at the highest level.
