DERBY: England eased home by 37 runs against Pakistan to strike the first blow of their three-match One-day International series in Derby on Thursday.

Chasing 244 for victory, Pakistan finished on 206-9 as spinners Sophie Ecclestone (3-26) and Charlie Dean (2-39) turned the contest England’s way.

Ecclestone moved within two wickets of becoming the fastest to reach three figures in women’s ODI cricket, although she must achieve that in the second game of the series on Sunday to eclipse Australia’s Cathryn Fitzpatrick.

Pakistan were handily placed at 149-4 in the 35th over, but the fall of five wickets for 29 runs in the space of seven overs killed off their hopes.

Sadaf Shamas, Muneeba Ali and captain Nida Dar — who had earlier taken three wickets — built decent foundations as Pakistan sought their first-ever ODI win over England at the 13th attempt.

The tourists also benefited from some wayward England bowling, with a staggering 31 wides part of a record total of 40 extras, as well as two rare spills behind the stumps from Amy Jones.

But Lauren Bell (2-31) found movement off the pitch to break through at the top of the order, and Ecclestone and Dean turned the screw before Kate Cross claimed a couple of late wickets.

Asked to bat, England — who were without Danni Wyatt due to illness — made 243-9 from their 50 overs.

Maia Bouchier made 17 before falling to Nashra Sandhu and fellow opener Tammy Beaumont, back on international duty after being overlooked for T20 action, went for 33 as Umm-e-Hani won another lbw appeal.

Skipper Heather Knight was dropped twice by Hani, on nought and 18, but eventually departed for 29 as wicket-keeper Najiha Alvi held her attempted cut off Aliya Riaz.

With Nat Sciver-Brunt, averaging a handsome 80 against Pakistan, falling for 31 to another catch behind off Aliya, England were 118-4 and in need of stability at the halfway stage.

It arrived in the form of a skillful partnership of 67 between Alice Capsey and Jones, who dominated the alliance with 37 from 38 balls.

Teenager Capsey showed maturity beyond her years for an ODI-best 44 following a run of low scores in this format of the game.

Dean produced a useful 20 as Fatima Sana’s final-over drop — the fourth of the innings — prevented Pakistan from bowling out England for the first time in a one-day game.

Scores in brief:

ENGLAND 243-9 in 50 overs (T. Beaumont 33, A. Capsey 44, A. Jones 37; Nida Dar 3-56, Nashra Sandhu 2-41, Umm-e-Hani 2-43); PAKISTAN 206-9 in 50 overs (Muneeba Ali 34, Sadaf Shamas 28, Najiha Alvi 26 not out; S. Ecclestone 3-26, K. Cross 2-46, L. Bell 2-42, C. Dean 2-39).

Published in Dawn, May 25th, 2024