England beat India by six wickets in the deciding women’s T20 international at Taunton, and Alice Capsey and Heather Knight carried them home with 184-4 reached in 18.3 overs. Heather Knight made 70 in the chase as England finished strongly and completed the series win.
The result mattered because it capped England’s World Cup preparation on home soil, and it gave the side a sharper read on where they stand before the tournament begins. Charlie Dean said the team took on the power play really well, and that the partnership between Capsey and Knight set the tone while the fielding backed it up.
Capsey’s innings was built on control rather than force. She said she was using her feet, aiming straight and trying not to overhit the ball, adding that the pitch was coming on nicely and that she could get value by hitting in the V. That approach matched the calm England showed in the chase, with Capsey and Knight picking their moments against India’s attack.
For England, the win also leaves a selection question hanging over the final days before the World Cup. Dean said she has felt stronger in herself and in her cricket, but also noted that if Nat Sciver-Brunt is not ready, the transition should be smoother than it might have been before. Charlotte Edwards has already pointed to the same issue from a different angle, saying it is about being smart and using all the shots in the right way.
England now face Australia on Monday, then meet India again in a warm-up game next Wednesday before the World Cup starts at Edgbaston against Sri Lanka at 6.30pm on Friday week. The Taunton result gives England momentum, but the final shape of their side is still not settled.
