England batted with the aggression that they had promised as they started their bid for a primary T20 World Cup title since 2009 with a rampant seven-wicket win over 2016 champions West Indies.

Sophie Ecclestone’s 3-23 helped England restrict West Indies to 135-7 in Paarl, whereas Sophia Dunkley (34 off 18) bought the run chase off to a fast begin after which watched on as skipper Heather Knight (32no off 22) and deputy Nat Sciver-Brunt (40no off 30) took the group to their goal with 33 balls to spare.

Knight had stated in her pre-match press convention, and once more on the toss, that England would proceed the attacking mindset they’ve adopted since Jon Lewis turned head coach in November and that proved the case as they scored at a fee in extra of 9.5 runs an over.

Ecclestone picked up the important thing wicket of West Indies skipper Hayley Matthews, lbw for 42 from 32 balls, after the batter had propelled her facet to 69-1 from 10 overs and the England spinner went on to pin Afy Fletcher (10) and Zaida James (2) lbw within the nineteenth over because the Caribbean facet pale within the last half of the innings.

A goal of 136 didn’t problem an emboldened England batting unit, one which thumped 246 in a warm-up fixture in opposition to South Africa earlier this week, with Knight sealing an emphatic victory by putting Chinelle Henry for six over long-off.

Extra to comply with.

What’s subsequent?

Monday thirteenth February 12:30pm

Wednesday fifteenth February 12:30pm

England return to motion in opposition to Eire in Paarl on Monday (1pm begin) and won’t be taking their opponents frivolously after they shocked event favourites Australia in a warm-up match. West Indies, in the meantime, play India on Wednesday.

India start their marketing campaign on Sunday in opposition to Pakistan (1pm) earlier than Sri Lanka, who shocked hosts South Africa on Friday night time, look to make it two wins from two after they meet Bangladesh (5pm).

Sunday twelfth February 12:30pm

Sunday twelfth February 4:30pm