Heather Knight anchors England to close-fought victory over Bangladesh at Women’s Cricket World Cup

GUWAHATI, India (AP) — Heather Knight scored 79 not out off 111 balls as England beat Bangladesh by four wickets at the Women’s Cricket World Cup on Tuesday.

Knight’s half-century rescued England from a precarious position of 78-5 as the Bangladesh spinners piled on the pressure.

Charlie Dean contributed 27 not out to the 79-run seventh-wicket partnership as Knight helped her side to a second consecutive victory in the tournament. Wrist spinner Fahima Khatun picked 3-16 in 10 overs for Bangladesh, which had been bowled out for 178 runs after Nat Sciver-Brunt won the toss for England.

Linsey Smith led the English spinners again, picking 2-33, while left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone took 3-24 in 10 overs.

The win puts England top of the points table after beating South Africa in its opening game. It next plays co-host Sri Lanka in Colombo.

Bangladesh is fourth and plays New Zealand at the same venue on Friday.

Put into bat, Bangladesh struggled to get going against England’s spin as Smith and Lauren Bell struck early to leave them at 25-2.

Shobana Mostary scored 60 off 108 balls, with eight fours, and put on 34 off 60 with opener Sharmin Akhtar, who scored 30 off 52 balls.

But Dean struck twice in the middle overs as Bangladesh slipped to 108-5 and Ecclestone then bowled Khatun for seven and had Nahida Akter caught for one. She had earlier dismissed Sharmin Akhter in the 16th over.

Rabeya Khan hit 43 not out off 27 balls to rescue Bangladesh from 130-7. She hit six fours and a six to help the score past 175.

In reply, England lost its way early on as medium pacer Marufa Akter struck twice. Tammy Beaumont was out lbw for 13, as was Amy Jones for one. Knight then added 40 off 73 balls with Sciver-Brunt, who scored 32.

The turning point came in the 15th over when Knight seemed to be out caught at extra cover, but TV replays didn’t show conclusively that Shorna Akter had full control of the ball and the decision went against Bangladesh after Knight had almost walked off the ground.

Bangladesh maintained some hope when Fahima Khatun struck twice in the 19th over as Sciver-Brunt was caught at midwicket and Sophia Dunkley was out lbw for a three-ball duck.

Khatun also sent back Emma Lamb for one as England slipped to 78-5. Alice Capsey (20) added 25 runs with Knight to help cross the 100-mark, before Akter Meghla struck again.

Knight dug in deep, however, and scored 50 off 86 balls, staying on until the end.

“These weren’t easy conditions (to bat in) and they have a good bowling attack,” Knight said. “We made it a little difficult for ourselves, but we got a partnership at the end.”

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