England dropped Sophia Dunkley and promoted Amy Jones to open the batting in their T20 World Cup warm-up matches held in Cardiff. [1, 2] Amy Jones scored a fluent 64 in the match against India and is expected to open in the tournament opener against Sri Lanka. [3, 2] Jones said, "Opening the batting can be a rollercoaster, but I’m riding the wave into our next game."
In England’s first warm-up match on June 8, Australia chased down 158 runs with 10 balls to spare, winning by five wickets. [1, 4] Australia opener Beth Mooney scored 43 runs including two sixes, while Ellyse Perry contributed 64 runs to guide the victory. [4]
England returned to winning ways against India in their final warm-up match, scoring 171-6 and defending it to win by five runs on June 10. [3, 2] Nat Sciver-Brunt, returning from a calf injury, scored 57 at number three, contributing significantly to the total. [3, 2] Sciver-Brunt admitted, "I was feeling rusty in the field," and was rested from fielding duties while vice-captain Charlie Dean led the fielding effort. [2]
Amy Jones praised her teammates’ finish, saying, "It got a bit close at the end there but I thought the way the girls closed out the game was brilliant. It feels like everything’s been ticked off. We’re all really excited for Friday." Dani Gibson added a late rapid 30 not out off 12 balls to help accelerate the innings after a rain delay. [3, 2]
Alice Capsey maintained good form with a 45-run innings against Australia and effectively took on wicket-keeping duties against India. [3, 4, 2] England rested key bowlers Lauren Bell and Sophie Ecclestone in the final warm-up, giving full quotas to Issy Wong and Tilly Corteen-Coleman. [3, 2] Wong conceded 21 runs off a penultimate over bowled to India’s Richa Ghosh, who scored a rapid 68 off 36 balls. [3, 2]
England will open their Commonwealth Bank ICC Women’s T20 World Cup campaign against Sri Lanka at Edgbaston on June 12. [1, 2]
