Em Arlott starred as England took an unassailable 2-0 lead in their three-match T20I series against West Indies with a nine-wicket hammering at the 1st Central City Ground in Hove.
With an unchanged side on the field, it was Arlott (3-14) who was the stand-out performer for England with ball in hand, taking her three wickets in the space of seven deliveries to leave West Indies floundering, especially with the dismissal of captain Hayley Matthews (6) who scored a magnificent century in the opening T20I.
Charlie Dean (2-12) and Lauren Bell (3-28) also got in on the action to see West Indies set a measly target of just 82 at the end of their innings.
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Watch Emily Arlott claim a hat-trick in her second England game
That allowed Nat Sciver-Brunt (55no) and Sophia Dunkley (24no) to combine and race to the target in the space of just 9.2 overs.
Following the final T20I on Monday May 26 in Chelmsford, in which England will be looking to secure a series sweep, there will be a three-match ODI series between the sides as England ramp up their preparation for the World Cup later this year.
Arlott makes her mark with hat-trick as bowlers dominate
In what was only her second England appearance, Arlott showed just why new head coach Charlotte Edwards placed such faith in her, taking three wickets in what was a wondrous early spell.
It was Bell who struck first, dismissing Qiana Joseph (4) in the opening over by taking the catch from her own delivery.
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Lauren Bell strikes early against the West Indies with a wicket for England in the opening over of their T20 clash!
From then on it was all Arlott, the fast bowler striking twice in the fourth to remove dangerwoman and skipper Matthews followed by Zaida James (6), Dunkley taking a stormer of a catch for the second.
The second ball of her third over then removed Stafanie Taylor (0) for a duck after just two balls faced and confirmed her hat-trick, leaving West Indies flailing on 30-4 at the end of the PowerPlay.
West Indies managed to find some calm with Shemaine Campbelle (26) and Shabika Gajnabi (22) at the crease but then it was Dean’s turn to have her moment with some superb off-spin bowling, taking Campbelle and Mandy Magru (0) in back-to-back deliveries, Arlott taking the catch for the first.
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Charlie Dean puts the West Indies under pressure with back to back wickets
With the visitors on 63-6 with six overs of their innings remaining, Bell and Issy Wong (1-4) got back in on the action against the tailenders and made Aaliyah Alleyne (0) walk for a duck before Gajnabi and Afy Fletcher (2) fell.
That saw them set a disappointing 82 for England to chase, the home outfit’s batting attack more than up to the task.
Sciver-Brunt and Dunkley combine in race to 82
The chase got off to the worst possible start for England, Danni Wyatt-Hodge (0) falling first ball at the hands of James (1-12), West Indies getting off to the perfect start in what was always going to be a very tough score to defend.
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The West Indies get Danni Wyatt-Hodge out on the FIRST BALL of Englands run chase
However, it was not long until Dunkley and Sciver-Brunt steadied the ship in double-quick time, the new captain scoring boundaries for fun to lead England to a solid 49-1 at the end of the PowerPlay.
The skipper then secured her 17th T20I half-century off just 27 balls, Sciver-Brunt in imperious touch as she clattered the boundary nine times on the way to the strong score.
Just an over later and at the halfway mark of the innings the result was all wrapped up, Sciver-Brunt whipping one through wicket for the series win.
Arlott: Everyone stood up and did a job | Sciver-Brunt: It’s a dream!
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Arlott discusses the ‘dream start’ to her England career
Player of the match Em Arlott speaking to Sky Sports Cricket:
“It’s nice to get back to winning ways with the girls.
“We just wanted to test out seam and it went well. I feel with T20 it’s the team who adapts to what you’ve got on the day the quickest.
“If I bowled my natural hard length it would make it pretty hard for them to score.
“Everyone stood up and did a job. The mood in the camp is great.”
England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt speaking to Sky Sports Cricket:
“Happy days! The bowlers set up the game beautifully today. Made great use of the powerplay.
“It’s a dream actually.
“We set a high standard in the field and it’s something that drives the energy.
“We’ll head off to Chelmsford and won’t take it lightly.”
England Women’s summer fixtures
All times UK and Ireland; all games live on Sky Sports
T20 international series vs West Indies (May)
- First T20I, Canterbury: England win by eight wickets
- Second T20I, Hove: England win by nine wickets
- Third T20I: Monday May 26 (2.30pm) – Chelmsford
One-day international series vs West Indies (May-June)
- First ODI: Friday May 30 (1pm) – Derby
- Second ODI: Wednesday June 4 (1pm) – Leicester
- Third ODI: Saturday June 7 (11am) – Taunton
T20 international series vs India (June-July)
- First T20I: Saturday June 28 (2.30pm) – Trent Bridge
- Second T20I: Tuesday July 1 (6.30pm) – Bristol
- Third T20I: Friday July 4 (6.35pm) – The Kia Oval
- Fourth T20I: Wednesday July 9 (6.30pm) – Emirates Old Trafford
- Fifth T20I: Saturday July 12 (6.35pm) – Edgbaston
One-day international series vs India (July)
- First ODI: Wednesday July 16 (1pm) – Southampton
- Second ODI: Saturday July 19 (11am) – Lord’s
- Third ODI: Tuesday July 22 (1pm) – Chester-le-Street
Watch England’s second T20I international against West Indies live on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event from 6pm on Friday (6.35pm first ball). Stream cricket with NOW
