ICC Women World Cup 2022: We need to be more clinical in execution at crunch times – Heather Knight

England women cricket team skipper Heather Knight was disappointed after her team lost their second match of the ongoing ICC Women World Cup 2022 at the University Oval, Dunedin.

West Indies posted a competitive score of 225 runs after Stafanie Taylor won the toss and decided to bat first.

West Indies got off to a decent start as Deandra Dottin and Hayley Mathews added 81 runs in the first 20 overs. However, England bounced back stronger as they took four quick wickets. Subsequently, Shemaine Campbelle and Chedean Nation added 123 runs for the five-wicket partnership.

Campbell scored 66 runs whereas Nation contributed with an unbeaten knock of 49 runs to help West Indies post a fighting total on the board. On the other hand, England women were skittled out for 218 runs and thus fell seven runs short of the target.

Tammy Beaumont, Danielle Wyatt, and Sophia Dunkley got off to starts but none of them could go on to convert it into a big score. Knight admitted that there is frustration to lose two matches by a small margin.

Heather Knight said in the post-match presentation, “They batted outstandingly at the start and came hard at us. We came back well with the ball, but just struggled to break that partnership (Campbelle-Nation). Also gave a few too many in the last few overs. Not too much concern. Obviously, there is frustration. A lot of small things, happens when you lose two close games. There’s a lot of things you could have changed. Was a good wicket and the target was below-par. Happy with the attacking intent shown from our batters but we need to be more clinical in execution at crunch times.”

The reigning champions haven’t got off to a good start as they have lost both their matches so far. England had lost their opening match by 12 runs against Australian Women.

England will look to bounce back stronger in their upcoming matches. Heather Knight-led team will next lock horns against South Africa at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui on Monday.