Key events
A shame for England that they will be without joint-second tournament wicket-taker Ecclestone, but a good chance to for Sarah Glenn to show what she can offer. And for Em Arlott, who had such a good summer against West Indies, stepping into Lauren Bell’s boots.
Two changes for Pakisan
Allrounder Aliya Riaz and batter Omaima Sohail return.
Pakistan: Omaima Sohail, Muneeba Ali, Sidra Amin, Aliya Riaz, Natalia Pervaiz, Sidra Nawaz (wk), Fatima Sana (capt), Rameen Shamim, Diana Baig, Nashra Sandhu, Sadia Iqbal.
Two changes for England – Ecclestone and Lauren Bell ill
Sarah Glenn and Em Arlott come in.
England XI: Beaumont, Jones (wk), Knight, Sciver-Brunt (capt), Dunkley, Lamb,Capsey, Dean, Glenn, Arlott, Smith
Pakistan win the toss and will bowl!
“Because the pitch looks good,” says Fatima Sana, “and will be an advantage for our spinners.” Nat Sciver Brunt would have bowled too.
Preamble
Hello from Colombo, via a dank, grey Manchester morning. Game four for England of what has been a rather excellent campaign – three games, three wins and nestled just below Australia in second place, but with a superior run rate. A win today will take them top, springboarding artistically into the serious end of the round-robin when they play India and Australia, and New Zealand.
Their opponents, bottom of the table Pakistan, have had a less productive time, with three losses and zero points. Just about the only thing in their favour is that Colombo is a home from home – they’ve played all their games there. Not that it has been a huge help to their batting, with totals of 129, 159, and 114 splashed across the scorebook.
Play starts at 10.30am, do join us to chew the cud.
