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by IANS |
Canberra, Feb 28 (IANS) England's leg-spin sensation Sarah Glenn hailed the influence of partner-in-crime Sophie Ecclestone as the pair orchestrated a 42-run win over Pakistan at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup on Friday.
Glenn has been one of head coach Lisa Keightley's pet projects since taking the job in November and made her debut in the pre-Christmas series against Pakistan in Malaysia.
It was against the same opposition on the Women's T20 World Cup stage that she put in a masterful display of three for 15 which, supported by Ecclestone's two for 12, buttressed the victory.
"It's been great to have Sophie with me, she's a similar age but has some more experience in the team," said Glenn.
"If I'm ever nervous or unsure about anything, she's always there to talk it through on and off the field. She's a key asset to the team.
"We're really positive as a group. It was gutting to lose against South Africa but we're feeling really good and have plenty of momentum now.
"We've had a lot of success in Canberra, especially Heather, who's had a brilliant time. We've got a lot of good memories to take into Sydney."
Skipper Heather Knight struck yet another half-century at Canberra's Manuka Oval -- all five of her career 50+ scores have come at the venue -- as England put 158 for seven on the board.
It proved too much for Pakistan, who looked comfortable pursuing 124 against West Indies but fish out of water in the face of a trial by spin from Glenn and Ecclestone.
Aliya Riaz's dashing 41 was their only sizeable contribution and while she felt they were capable of chasing the target, missed chances in the field proved the difference.
"We made mistakes in the field and dropped some catches," said Aliya. "That's the difference between us and England.
"We believed at the halfway stage when Javeria started well, we built some partnerships and I tried to do my best at the end. I tried to hit the ball as hard as possible.
"Some catches dropped is the responsibility of the fielders. These are our mistakes.
"We need to build more partnerships and make fewer mistakes in fielding and bowling."
