Edwards 77* takes England Women to semis
Not for the first time in a Women's World T20, England will have to get
past Australia for glory. Unlike the last two encounters, however, their
showdown this time will not be in a final. On Wednesday in Delhi, they
meet in the semis. "Luckily, we have a good record in this tournament
outside of finals,"
Leading from the front with 77 off 61 balls, Edwards ensured that
England controlled proceedings against Pakistan in Chennai to seal their
semi-final berth.
That control was evident from the very first ball, which Edwards guided
through backward point for four. It's a shot wedded to England's captain
and you would not be surprised if she took it with her when she
eventually decides to retire. It was a fitting way for her to become the
first player - man or woman - to pass 2,500 international T20 runs.
For the second time in succession, Edwards and Tammy Beaumont put on a
half-century stand for the first wicket. Beaumont, in the process, set a
new career best of 37.
England's approach in this World T20, encouraged by the coach Mark
Robinson, has been to target the Powerplay. It culminated in 55 for 0
today - their highest ever score in the first six overs. It is also the
sixth highest Powerplay total in the women's game.
"We've got good stats to show if you win the Powerplay in women's
cricket you generally win the game," Edwards said. "Mark has told us to
go out there and play to our own game, play to our strengths and I think
we've done that. It's not been reckless at all, I think it's been
really calculating cricket and that's been pleasing for me."
While Beaumont, the aggressor, went to a leading edge for the first of
Nida Dar's three wickets, Edwards, the rock, stayed for the duration.
There were the typical elements to the knock: the off side play when the
field was up, the late running of the ball to third man and sweeps when
the fielders were spread. But there were also aspects that are normally
alien to her play. Aspects that increase her value in the second half
of an innings.
She was keen to push the field, something that was evident in the
penultimate over when she ran three twos before clubbing a four down the
ground and immediately signalling for a drink. Then, to the second ball
of the 20th, she walked across her stumps and flicked seamer Asmavia
Iqbal over her shoulder for four.
Edwards' presence at the other end helped stifle another middle order
collapse, with Sarah Taylor going for an eight-ball duck during a
top-order cluster of three wickets for 21 runs. Danni Wyatt stuck with
her captain for a busy 17 to ensure a testing target.
It meant Pakistan needed to reach their target of 149 in 18.1 overs to
qualify for the semi-finals at England's expense. They fell well short
of both win and qualification. In hindsight, this match itself was a
formality.
While Georgia Elwiss came in for a poorly Heather Knight, England took
the opportunity to bring in Laura Marsh for Becky Grundy. Marsh, who met
up with the squad on Friday after being called up as a replacement for
Danielle Hazell, was given the opportunity to get overs under her belt
in her first T20I since February 2015. Four overs of unerring off-breaks
from a medium pacer's action brought her career-best figures of three
for 12.
Marsh had initially arrived in Delhi while the rest of the squad were
still engaged in Dharamsala. With the England men's team training
nearby, Robinson asked assistant coach Paul Farbrace if she could have a
training session with him. Farbrace was happy to oblige. In the grand
scheme of things, it's a small gesture but perhaps one that highlights
the benefit of having a women's head coach with such strong contacts.
Only four Pakistan players made it into double figures, as England's
pace-off-the-ball attack, led by Marsh, induced mistake after mistake to
leave Pakistan in a heap of 80 all out.
It was always going to be a tough ask and, against a side who are
tightening up in the field, the life was slowly squeezed out of this
match. England saved their best, most complete group stage performance
for their final match. In the business, they call that peaking at the
right time.
As for Australia, "We're looking forward to it," Edwards said. "We know
when you come to a World T20 you have to beat everyone and we're looking
forward to Wednesday. We've got a good record away from World Cup
finals so we'll be holding on to that, and we've got a lot of belief in
the group. It's going to be one hell of a semi-final."
