Defending champions England became the third team to book its place in the semifinals of the Women's World Cup with a comfortable 100-run win over Bangladesh in Wellington on Sunday. (More Cricket News)
Sophia Dunkley's 72-ball 67 helped the reigning champions post 234 for six at Basin Reserve and a polished bowling performance, led yet again by Sophie Ecclestone’s economical spell of 3/15, meant Bangladesh neveღr threatened to rein in England's total and were bowled out for 134 in the 48th over.
England have now won four matches on the trot, having more than made up for their slow start to the tournament with a stringও of impressive performances that has h🍬ighlighted the depth in their squad.
Experienced seamer Anya Shrubsole was rested on Sunday, paving the way for Charlie Dean (3/31) and Freya Davies (2/36) to show the😼ir prowess as Knight used seven different bowlers to successfully negate the Bangladesh batters.
Eccle🌜stone did it best as she maintained her spot at the top of the leading wicket taker tally at the tournament with another superb spell, while Knight (1/15) bow🍨led some valuable overs of her own.
All-rounder Lata Mondal top-scored for Bangladesh with 30 and openers Shamima Sultana and Sharmin Akhter madཧe 23 apiece, but none of their batters found scoring easy to come by against England𒈔's quality bowlers.
Earlier, Dunkley helped pace England to their total during the important mi𓃲ddle overs as Nat Sciver (40), Tammy Beaumont (33) and Amy Jones (31) provided plenty of support.
Salma Khatun (2/46) was the pick of the Bangladesh bowlers, who combined well to make𝐆 ꦑsure England couldn't gather too much momentum throughout their innings.
England's꧃ quest to reach the knockout stages of the tournament actually started poorly, with Danni Wyatt (6) and Knight (6) falling inside🥀 the first eight overs and the score only on 26.
Sciver an🐟d Beaumont put on 60 for the third wicket to🦄 help get England back on track, but Beaumont was dismissed by Ritu Moni with the first ball of the 25th over as Bangladesh fought back strongly.
While ♌Dunkley held the innings together, Katherine Brunt (24 not out) scored some valuable runs towards the end runs to ensure Engဣland to reach the winning total.
First-timers Bangladesh finished the tournament in seventh place on the standi🌟ngs with just one win from eight match🥃es.
Brief Scores:
England Women: 234 for 6 in 50 overs (Sophia Dunkley 67, Nat Sciv🗹er 40; Salma Khatun 2/46).
Bangladesh Women: 134 al😼l out in 48 overs (Lata Mondal 30, Shamima Sultana 23, Sharmin Akhter 23; Sophie Ecclestone 3/15, Charlie Dean 3/31).
