T20 World Cup, Group 2, Headingley
England 200-5 (20 overs): Dunkley 57 (37), Capsey 40 (25); Gordon 2-30
Scotland 162-7 (20 overs): S Bryce 34 (24)
England won by 38 runs
Scorekeeper. Tables
England’s batting shone again as the hosts moved closer to the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup with a 38-run victory over Scotland at Headingley.
Sophia Dunkley made sure injured captain Nat Sciver-Brunt wasn’t missed as she took advantage of three dropped catches to make 57 on her return to the team.
Alice Capsey stroked 40 and Heather Knight 25, but most impressive was an impressive unbroken partnership of 61 off just 21 balls from Freya Kemp and Dani Gibson.
Together they took England from 141-5 after 17 overs to 200-5 after 20, with Kemp hitting an unbeaten 39 off 16 balls and Gibson hitting 30 off 11 balls not out.
After a tense chase over Ireland in their second match, this was more reminiscent of England’s performance on the opening night of the tournament when they won 219-1 against Sri Lanka.
Kemp-Gibson’s pyrotechnics pushed the target beyond Scotland and, despite an admirable effort, they finished with 162-7, their highest score while batting second in T20 internationals.
A win in either of England’s last two matches, against the West Indies on Wednesday or New Zealand next Saturday, will likely be enough to secure a top-two finish.
Scotland, who have one win and two losses, will play New Zealand on Tuesday.
