The priority for England is that their issues in opposition to spin should not new and this World Cup already appears to be like like it’ll be a trial by gradual bowling.
The gameplan for bowlers in Sharjah is fairly easy: bowl gradual and bowl straight. Throughout each video games on the floor on Saturday, solely 61 runs have been scored from 93 balls that may have hit the stumps, with seven wickets falling.
The answer to overcoming such ways is one England will most likely not get pleasure from listening to – copy an Australian!
Saturday was additionally the defending champions’ first outing and so they suffered a stutter of their very own, shedding 4 wickets whereas chasing simply 94.
Nonetheless, opener Beth Mooney delivered a masterclass in adapting to the situations – staying affected person, however getting the job achieved.
Mooney struck 4 fours in her unbeaten 43 however was proactive in opposition to Sri Lanka’s bowlers, scoring 21 from simply 9 balls when utilizing her ft and guaranteeing Australia by no means bought slowed down – that they had a dot-ball proportion of 37% in comparison with England’s 46%.
Australia additionally ran 9 twos within the oppressive 36 diploma warmth of the afternoon solar, in comparison with England’s six from 10 fewer deliveries in opposition to spin.
Mooney, drenched in sweat and sporting an ice pack on her neck at every break in play, demonstrated spectacular health ranges within the scorching warmth. Precision of shot prevailed over energy.
Knight famous in her post-match interview that “it will not all the time be lovely or horny”. Mooney confirmed simply that.
In distinction, England have been unsure about whether or not to stay or twist, with wickets falling from miscued reverse sweeps, a few expenses down the pitch and two stumpings.
There isn’t a must panic however this was an unconvincing opening effort by England.
If they’re to dethrone the serial winners from down below, who’ve gained six of the final seven iterations of this competitors, they should channel their interior Australia – irrespective of how a lot it stings.