TAUNTON — England's women's cricket team delivered a dominant performance to complete a ruthless clean sweep of their T20 series against the West Indies, sealing a nine-wicket victory at Taunton. Captain Nat Sciver-Brunt led from the front with an unbeaten 57, guiding her side to a comprehensive win with 31 balls to spare.
The emphatic victory capped off a flawless series for England, who had already secured wins in the first two matches at Northampton and Derby. The West Indies, despite flashes of resistance, were outclassed in all departments, with England's bowlers restricting them to a modest 118/7 before the hosts chased down the target with ease.
Sciver-Brunt anchors clinical chase
England's chase was built around Sciver-Brunt’s composed innings, which included seven boundaries and showcased her trademark precision. Partnered by Danni Wyatt (35 off 29), the pair put on a 79-run stand to dismantle the West Indies attack. "It was about staying patient and picking the right moments to attack," Sciver-Brunt said post-match. "The bowlers set it up perfectly, so we just had to finish the job."
Wyatt provided the early impetus, striking three fours and a six before falling to off-spinner Karishma Ramharack. However, Sciver-Brunt remained unfazed, guiding England home alongside Alice Capsey (19* off 15), who finished the match with a boundary through midwicket.
Bowlers set the tone early
England’s bowlers laid the foundation for victory, with Lauren Bell (2/17) and Sophie Ecclestone (2/22) stifling the West Indies' top order. The tourists struggled to build momentum, losing wickets at regular intervals. Key moments included:
- Hayley Matthews (23) trapped lbw by Bell in the powerplay
- Stafanie Taylor (18) caught at mid-off off Ecclestone
- Chinelle Henry (25) run out after a mix-up with Shemaine Campbelle
Only a late cameo from Aaliyah Alleyne (22* off 14) pushed the West Indies past 110, but it was never going to be enough. "We didn’t adapt well enough to their bowling," admitted West Indies captain Matthews. "England were disciplined, and we couldn’t find the gaps consistently."
Series takeaways for both sides
England’s depth shines
With Heather Knight rested, England’s squad depth was on full display. Youngsters like Capsey and Charlie Dean (1/18) stepped up, while Sciver-Brunt’s leadership was impeccable. Ecclestone’s economy rate of 5.50 across the series underscored her status as the world’s top-ranked T20 bowler.
West Indies left searching for answers
The tourists’ batting frailties were exposed, with only Matthews averaging above 20. Their bowling lacked penetration, and fielding errors—including two dropped catches in the decider—proved costly. "We have to be sharper in all areas," said coach Courtney Walsh. "England punished every mistake, and we have to learn from that."
Looking ahead
England will carry this momentum into their upcoming ODI series against Pakistan, while the West Indies face a quick turnaround before hosting South Africa. Sciver-Brunt’s side has sent a strong message ahead of next year’s T20 World Cup. "This was a statement series," said player of the series Ecclestone. "We’re building something special, and the confidence is sky-high."
For the West Indies, the road ahead is tougher. With just six wins in their last 20 T20Is, Matthews’ side must regroup quickly. As Walsh put it: "We have the talent, but talent alone isn’t enough against teams like England. The work starts now."