England make it 3 out of 3 with impressive win over Scotland
17 Jun 2026 · 29 min
The BBC Radio 5 Live Test Match Special podcast episode recaps England’s 38‑run victory over Scotland at Headingley in the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup, marking England’s third consecutive win. The host outlines the match narrative – England’s 200/5 chase target of 201, highlighted by Sophia Dunkley’s 57 off 37, Freya Kemp’s 39 off 16 and Dani Gibson’s 30 off 11, and a decisive 61‑run partnership. The episode features analysis from former players Alex Hartley and Katherine Sciver‑Brunt, player interviews with Dunkley, captain Charlie Dean, and Scotland’s Catherine Bryce and Kirsty Gordon, plus on‑ground reporting by Ebony Rainford‑Brent and Victoria Polley. It discusses tactical shifts (the emergence of powerful lower‑order hitters), the record crowd of over 11,500, the match’s historic significance as the first England‑Scotland women’s fixture on British soil in 25 years, and its impact on the tournament table (England top with 6 points, net‑run‑rate 2.49). The hosts also preview upcoming fixtures (England vs West Indies, England vs New Zealand; Scotland vs New Zealand, Scotland vs Sri Lanka) and reflect on the growth of women’s cricket, the importance of crowd engagement, and the emotional resonance of national anthems. Commercial ad reads for Snapdragon and Cadillac are interspersed.
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The TMS Podcast from BBC Radio 5 Live. So England make it 3 wins from 3, beating a Scotland side who they hadn't faced on British soil In 25 years, it was a special occasion here at Headingly. England winning by 38 runs, hitting a target for Scotland of 201. England's 200 for 5 saw 57 from Sophia Dunkley and a brilliant partnership of 61 off just 21, unbroken between Freya Kemp, who made 39 off 16, and Dani Gibson, 30 off 11, to give England a, a fine total. The second time they've passed 200 or reached 200 in the tournament. They did lose Amy Jones, very first ball of the game, but things did pick up from them after that. For Scotland, well, wickets fell at regular intervals despite a quick start, and, uh, though England did pick up 7 wickets, it has to be said it wasn't one of the more dominant displays necessarily in terms of wicket-taking. But England did their job to make it 3 from 3. Alex Hartley, World Cup winner. Katherine Siverbrunt, World Cup winner. Ashes winner as well. Is alongside, and we'll be getting some reaction from the player of the match shortly, as well as the two captains. But initial thoughts, Alex, at the end of all that?
What game of cricket! Probably one of the, the better ones that we've, we've seen so far in this tournament. Um, I love the way that Scotland have pushed England. I love the way England went out and played. Freya Kemp Dani Gibson. Dani Gibson for me is player of the match with her 30 off 11 and then 2 for not very many, um, but I don't think she's going to get it.
No, I think player of the match is going to be Sophia Dunkley, who's standing down there on the boundary edge having scored an impressive 57 off 37 balls. And often it tends to be the player that has just scored the most runs that's getting given the player of the match. You're shaking your head, you're not quite sure about that, Catherine. I'll find out how you thought the game went shortly, uh, but we will be hearing from Sophia Dunkley, uh, in just a moment, as well as the two captains. Scotland making their way off the field and applauding their plentiful supporters. A record crowd for a women's match of over 18,000 here at, uh, Headingly. And, uh, goodness me, they enjoyed it as well because it was just a very special warm evening that we'd been looking forward to for so long. It really did stand out as a fixture. Leeds heading the Saturday night England v Scotland. There was so much about this game that felt so tempting. And here is the player of the match.
Sophia, first of all, looked like you were enjoying that Headingley surface out there. What was it like to play?
Yeah, it was great to get out there. Found it quite tricky actually up front and they fought the ball pretty well. A little bit slow, but yeah, it was great to get out there and just get the win for England.
Obviously a surprise to be back here with the injury of Nat Sciver-Watson. One, how do you prepare yourself when chucked in last minute and how important to capitalize as well?
Yeah, I think it's tournament cricket. I think all 15 are so important in a World Cup and obviously just try and stay as ready as you can on the sidelines. And yeah, it's just what I tried to do today and nice to fit in and contribute. But I think the most important thing is we've got the 2 points and yeah, a bit of momentum going into the next game.
And England scoring good runs here, 2 scores of 200+. What are the team doing as a unit to get those scores higher?
Yeah, I think just as a batting group, we try to communicate really, really well. We know each other's strengths so well, and it was amazing to see Gibbo and Kempe there whacking it at the end and really getting us to that 200 total, which is great to see. But yeah, we're really gelling well as a unit and just keeping in those comms, which I think is really important.
Brilliant. Sophia, well done today and thanks so much for your time.
Thank you very much.
Thoughts there of Sophia Dunkley, player of the match for England, having scored 57 off 37 balls, uh, coming in pretty much the top of the order when England lost that early wicket. England, uh, top of the group, played 3-1-3 with 6 points and a positive net run rate of 2.49. Then West Indies, then New Zealand, and then Scotland, uh, is how things are looking. So Catherine Siverbrunt with England, uh, having made it 3 from 3. Charlotte Edwards often speaks about being ruthless. How ruthless were they tonight?
Yeah, they were confidently ruthless. I think that's the main word is confidence. Whenever you look at, I hate mentioning Australia, but whenever you look at them or talk about them, that word is probably used a lot because not only can they just sort of look amongst each other and see confidence everywhere, they can go out and play with confidence and freedom because they have so much fall back on. When they're in their bowling innings, they have 8 bowlers. If some 1, 2, 3 people having a bad day, no worries. So like Pez might rock up and bowl 1 over or no overs because they've got so much they can rely on. So I think with England, that's what I've seen more of as time has gone on, um, in the last sort of, I don't know, 8 to 2, like 8 months. It's just been that gaining of confidence, and what you're seeing is, is that, and it's building. And I'm so happy of how it went today because it's just showing you what place they're in. And even with the fielding, the way they're moving—
But why particularly today?
Um, I think they've obviously got those two games behind them. One, you know, they started it so well. I think in tournaments like this, it just gives you an extra 10-20% anyway because It's so exciting. Like, there's lots of people in the crowd. They give you a lot of energy, um, and you're just happy to turn up. Sometimes in series that either have nothing on it or don't mean anything, it's hard to get up for it. But these, there's no problem in that. So it would be weird if they weren't bouncing around and feeling good about themselves, because why on earth would they not feel good right now? Look what you're seeing.
Alex, I want to talk a little bit about the, the partnership for me that really did represent the, the perhaps the, the shift in attitude between, between it England side a year ago and now. And that was the 61 runs off 21 balls between Freya Kemp and Dani Gibson. Uh, you know, 39 off 16 for Kemp, 30 off 11 for Gibson, and that is a serious weapon for England at the back end of the game.
And it's something that Charlotte Edwards has been really key on, or keen on, having those all-rounders in the team and knowing that Freya Kemp, when she's fit and she's back, she can do that. She can hit the ball 360, but powerfully. You know, she doesn't even look like she's trying to hit the ball and she can clear the boundaries. Dani Gibson, exactly the same. She's come back from injury. We all know she was the most expensive domestic player in The Hundred and today has proven exactly why. She hit the ball into the second tier clear down the ground. It was a monster of a hit. And I think where England were 18 months ago when we saw them in that World Cup out in Dubai, there was never any firepower towards the back end of the innings. It was almost like a bit like Scotland were today, if we're being honest, where there were players that could go at a strike rate of 130 if they're lucky. But now it's like England have batters that will go at a strike rate of 200 at the death, and that is the difference. For England to post 2 scores out 3 of 200 and above is a massive, massive statement in this World Cup. And the impressive thing is it's been different people at different times stepping up. And today England were on top of the game, but Freya Kemp and Dani Gibson in particular made sure that they nailed— put the nail in the coffin.
Yeah, and the people in that position would have been like Amy and Charlie Dean. Yeah. And they're not—
they're not power hitters.
They're very good and they're hitting awkward spots. Amy more bigger strike rate than Charlie, but that's not their strengths. So it's like replacing that with that 200+ strike rate is enormous.
Joining me is Catherine Bryce.
Catherine Bryce of Scotland. First of all, emotions after that game?
Yeah, pretty, pretty high, I think. I think we did a lot of really good things in that game and just really excited to see the way they tried to chase that total. And I think everyone that came in just came with that intent to go out there and try and chase it down.
Down.
And, um, yeah, not that close in the end.
Fielding, something that's worth reflecting on. It feels like you could have got a lot closer if you held the catches. What's the conversation around that at the moment?
Yeah, I think our, our ground fielding especially was absolutely exceptional in that first game, and that was probably the difference coming into today. We're probably pretty poor, let a lot through, through our legs that were pretty costly. So I think that's definitely something to reflect on and, um, kind of learn from as well. Probably with the sun coming down, I think it had a little bit of effect on vision. So it's just a learning experience as well.
A lot of positives to take. Some of the runs coming from your top order, your sister today. You must be quite pleased at how you're taking on the big nations.
Yeah, really pleased. I think the way that Darcy and Katherine Fraser have opened up the top have really set the tone for the innings. And I think that's been fantastic to see kind of in all the matches. And I think that set us up really well to be able to put big totals on the board.
Two more games, obviously New Zealand next. How are your side faring for that?
Yeah, I think really excited for that. I think we've had a couple of really close games the other day against the West Indies and played a lot of really good cricket again today against a really good side. So I think if we go out there with the same sort of intent and just do a few things a little bit better, then we'll be hopefully in a position to get one on the board.
Brilliant. Thanks for your time today. Good luck with the next two games.
Cheers.
Thank you.
All right. Time to bring in Charlie Dean, the winning captain for today. First of all, you must be pleased. Big margin.
—of the win. Yeah, I guess we could have been more clinical, I think, with the ball. But to get up to a score like that, it put us in a fantastic position. I thought Scotland came out swinging, you know, they played really well on a really good pitch. But to get the win is— yeah, that's what we wanted to achieve today.
Let's talk about you. You stepped into this captaincy role a few times now. How are you finding the challenge?
Yeah, I enjoyed it today, actually. I think having that bigger, bigger total to try and defend The girls were really good. I wanted to bowl a bit better today, if I'm honest. But yeah, I guess captaining and focusing on my own bowling when I get to do that is a skill and being able to switch on and off when I need to. But yeah, it went well today.
Big scores are coming, 2 scores of over 200. What's the conversation between you, Charlotte Edwards, and the leadership to get those big totals?
Yeah, I think it's massive for our batters to get up to those totals. And we know that, that when we chase as well, um, you know, scores are getting bigger and bigger. So learning how to chase higher scores and also set them, um, yeah, it was brilliant. It was a brilliant pitch here at Headingley. So to get up to that total and for the girls to do a lot of, a lot of work at the back end as well was, was really pleasing.
Two potentially tougher games coming up with New Zealand and West Indies, higher-ranked teams. Your team are going to have to be sharp to make sure that you get through cleanly to the final stages.
Yeah, definitely. Tournament cricket is about winning the games in front of you, and that's what we need to do. So it's brilliant to get 3 wins, but yeah, we take every game as it comes, and it's really important for us to go well at Lord's against the West Indies.
Brilliant. Thanks for your time and congratulations for today.
Thanks, Ed.
Ebony Ravenford-Brent, the 2 captains down there on the boundary edge. So we were discussing the firepower of England's lower to middle order. From a bowler's point of view, you two would know about when you've got players, say in your careers, if you know that Ash Gardner and Annabel Sutherland are coming in, it does, it changes the mentality throughout the whole innings, doesn't it?
Yeah, it does. And when they do walk on you, the fear is where you take wickets and you're like, yes, but then you look who walks on, you're like, oh, and then you take another wicket and you're like, yes, and then you're like, oh, And they just keep coming. They just keep literally coming. And it's all that you think, I've literally got to get 10. We've got to get 10.
And England getting towards that.
They've still got Sophie Ecclestone to come in.
We've got 6 sitters left.
You know, Sophie Ecclestone, quite famously over the last 10 years of her career, has been one of the only people in the world that can hit her first ball for 6.
Yeah, 150 strike rate minimum, sort of coming in 200 maybe. I don't have an issue. If we're going to keep playing on surfaces like that, we don't need— you don't need more than 6 wickets in a game. If you lose 6 wickets in 20 overs, something's gone really wrong, I think, on these surfaces.
And do you think that teams are now going to be looking at England with fear?
Absolutely, absolutely. I don't think they'll be petrified, but they'll certainly be taking note.
They'll be going, they're playing well at home, they don't— they've never lost a home World Cup. Yes, that's pressure on England, but actually that pressure right now— yes, we've— yes, we've had an easier run into the this World Cup. And yes, you know, things have gone our way, but right now it's looking like England are in a really strong place moving forward to the back end of this, this World Cup.
Yeah, it's an interesting position, isn't it? And, uh, and certainly they've, they've done all that's been asked of them so far. There have been wobbles along the way, but you've said time and again, Katherine, actually you don't mind that.
No, it's, it's what you need in, in tournament cricket like this. We've seen a few times you've gone into finals and you've— a team can find themselves, because it's what it can do to you, like nerves-wise, you can end up 7, 8 down and suddenly you've got your number 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, they haven't batted all tournament because your team's had an absolute blinder.
Which is what's interesting about England, isn't it? So yes, they got 220 or 219 for 1 in that first game, and then managed to chase Ireland's score down in second. But without that top order getting runs today, they've managed to—
yeah, was Beth Mooney retired hurt? Stiff back. Stiff back. Because sometimes I feel like they can just retire you and get another one in just for some exposure. Why not?
The experience of the match itself, we've been looking forward to it for a long time because England against Scotland is a very rare occasion. I mentioned many times, 25 years since a match at Reading when Scotland made 24 off 21 overs. It's a different world nowadays. But crowd of almost 11,500 in a record at Headingly for a women's fixture. And presumably the point made on, on social media by Hypercorst, it's probably the highest attended England against Scotland cricket match for, uh, men or women in the UK. I mean, it happens so rarely. And so it's, you know, it's a real indication of, of what could be the case in the future. Uh, and it was a brilliant occasion, I thought.
Yeah, it was brilliant. I think to have so many people here, so many people engaged in the game— I, I want to stop talking about the crowds because I want it to become the norm. And I think for England games in particular, it has become the norm that you get 10,000 people in. And, you know, we've seen it throughout the, the Hundred and how that's changed women's cricket. And, um, a brilliant occasion. And look, Scotland will hold their heads high after today. They were gutted after the West Indies game, and rightly so. A game they should have won. But the halfway stage today, Scotland were never going to win, but they went out and they put on a pretty good show.
And that was a very powerful moment when Flower of Scotland was being sung, wasn't it? I know you like a sing-song.
I do. I have, I've Scottish blood flowing through me, you know, quite a lot actually, and I absolutely love that song. I support the men's rugby team, women's obviously, Sarah Bonner, shout out.
There you go.
But yeah, I get emotional about all the anthems, and that one in particular is just one of the sweetest. The West Indies, it does cheer me up a lot. Ours is very boring, isn't it?
Yes.
It's very powerful and short and sweet, but. There's nothing quite like Flower of Scotland. And when the a cappella bit came on, I just thought—
And you could see what it meant to those players as well.
Yeah, meant the world, didn't it? And I love that. I love, it sounds quite dark, but I love it when people get emotional singing the national anthem, 'cause it means so much playing cricket for your country or playing any sport for your country. It's what you've dreamed of. And a lot of those Scottish girls will have been like, when we play England, it's gonna be the game.
Yeah, and like, who gets to play at Headingly? I think I've played here 3 times. I played for Yorkshire for 22 years, maybe longer. And I got to play here, once for Yorkshire, I think. I'm trying to remember whether that was a friendly or not. And once for the Northern Diamonds, where we were the Northern Diamonds before The Hundred kicked off. Um, and, and once for England, I think. So it's so rare, but we love this ground. Everybody does, all cricketers, all the Scottish cricketers. It would be a part of an ambition to play here.
It's a great— everyone wants to play here. It spins, it bounces.
We see this as— we've all grown up watching men's Test cricket here. Yeah.
Yeah. And actually seeing, seeing those scores and names on the scoreboard in front of a packed Western Terrace, it sort of, it feels big. And again, from hypercourse, I love this. It's the 5th highest match runs aggregate for a women's T20 International played, uh, on the island of Great Britain. So that, you know, no niche— well, no, in terms of total runs scored in women's T20 Internationals in a game. So like both sides score loads of runs.
Yeah, yeah, but we're going to see that happen more and more because teams are getting better and better.
This is the point, and he says combined with the record crowd of 11,500, it feels like a landmark evening for women's cricket in the UK. Let's hope it leads to bigger and better, and I think it has. And loads of Scotland fans making the journey, loads of England fans engaging alongside. It should be a derby that you see all the time because it's a brilliant event.
It's hard though, isn't it? They're not a full member nation, you know, so you can only play them in World Cups.
Well, it's, uh, yeah, it's a frustrating one, I think. Sort it out. Yeah, I don't think—
well, I don't know, because if they get the men get full member nation, the girls then can't play domestic cricket here in England, so we know what we want.
We've just sent a crew of people around the moon, we can work that one out.
I do feel, but I think, yeah, it's, that's a hard one that, because that's what's created a good Scottish team.
Yeah, is playing here.
Fact.
Yeah. And so, and they can't create that there.
No. We can, I'm sure we can work it out. Anyway.
I'm not sure.
Oh well, yeah, it's cricket, isn't it? What about these sides' next assignments? It does get a little bit tougher for England now. They've got some stiffer fixtures, but it's going to be, you know, a team full of confidence.
Their next one's a tough one, the West Indies, because you never really know what West Indies team are going to turn up. You know, it could be a team that narrowly lose to Scotland— or narrowly beat Scotland, sorry— or it could be a team they get 240 on the board and they play you out of the game. You you just don't know. I think the Oval will suit England and the way they play, but also it will suit Hayley Matthews, Deandra Dottin, and Chanel Henry. Um, they didn't look like the most confident group the other day, West Indies, when they were out in the middle. There was mistakes here and there, um, but England have got the momentum. Um, their toughest game before they play New Zealand last.
Yeah, that's, that's the thing when you're playing the Windies is you— there's always an opportunity around the corner, there's always a loose shot somewhere. So I think they'll be quietly confident about that one, albeit fairly nervous and apprehensive because of what they can do. But I think playing a New Zealand side who can potentially have had the nail in the coffin—
It could be dangerous.
It could be dangerous because they got nothing to lose. And you know, certain— there's some— with that game against New Zealand earlier on in the season that they should just not have won, and then Sophie just won it to on her own. So yeah, there's something to— there's always something in the back of your head, isn't it? It's definitely not— they're not easy games by any means.
Yep. So, uh, next up for England, West Indies, uh, Lords on Wednesday, 6:30 starts. We'll be live on air at 6:15. And then next Saturday from the Oval, again 6:30 start, we'll be on air at 6:15. For Scotland, meanwhile, their next game is the New Zealand match on Tuesday. It's a morning game, that starts at 10:30. We'll be on air just before that, and, and then they conclude with the Sri Lanka fixture to wrap things up. So that's on Friday at Old Trafford, a 6:30 start there. So that is how things are looking, uh, in terms of the table, uh, Alex, I'm gonna just have a little look at where, uh, where England are in terms of points.
I reckon they're the top.
And they are, and they're in a very strong position, and only they and Australia have played 3 and won 3. Pace setters?
Pace setters, what do you mean?
Are they the 2 sides at the moment that look the strongest in the tournament?
Uh, it's hard. India have only played 2, they've won 2 as well, haven't they? So they're the 3 strongest teams in this World Cup. Um, you know, South Africa can be a very dangerous side. They always start a bit slowly, and when their backs against the wall, they play very, very good cricket. West Indies again, they've played 2-1-2. So, you know, I think Australia always look good. The Australia, England are the two teams that you think would— should make a World Cup semi-final, final.
Yeah, I think they're the most consistent, aren't they? Like across the board, the most amount of depth, I think. Um, but those other teams sort of have like match winners like their own sort of match winners. Um, so that, that's the scary part about those. But yeah, those two teams are definitely the most consistent.
There's dangerous players everywhere. Look, that's what's exciting. What is— what is exciting about this tournament?
Yeah, that's what makes for good watching. That's what we've been treated to, I think, in the last couple of weeks, is a lot of people that are new to women's cricket or whatever, probably not— that's not the first thing that they would go to, would it? It wouldn't be seeing 6-foot people bowling bouncers potentially bowling above 70 or taking screamers or hitting the ball 1,800, 1,900 meters. Yeah, and they've been treated to some of that, so that's— I think that's what's going to encourage people to keep coming back.
Right, let's get some more reaction from down there on the outfield. Victoria Polly's been speaking to one of England's key performers, the all-rounder Danny Gibson.
Congratulations. Another big score and another big win for England.
Yeah, 3 from 3. Group's going to be absolutely buzzing. Great performance and Leeds were amazing.
And to finally get to see you and Freya Kemp out there in the middle hitting big as well. You looked like it was a really positive performance out there.
Yeah, I think we just wanted to take it over by over, chunk it down and just not get too ahead of ourselves. And I think we did that pretty well. I just love watching Freya bat, so it was just nice to be out in the middle with her.
Yeah, you had the best view, didn't you?
Yeah, it's a bit scary at the non-striker's end sometimes, but it is the best view.
And for the team as a whole, is it not ideal to lose a wicket on the first ball? Good rebuilding. Sophia Dunkley getting the half century as well. So lots of positives from the batting performance.
Yeah, I think everyone played their game, stuck to their strengths. Dunk showed like what she can do and her character, obviously being left out the first two games to come into this game and do that just shows how good a player she is and how good our bench is. So we're absolutely buzzing for Dunks and everyone just put a performance in.
And for you, not just with the bat, the ball as well. England getting the job done comfortably.
Yeah, I think obviously powerplay probably wasn't our best, but I think we brought it back really well under pressure. So really happy for my bowlers and I think Dina did a great job.
And again, we've seen in this tournament so many times, good fielding, clean catching, it can make a big difference. And it felt like you held on to things out there tonight.
Yeah, I think, yeah, it's just an all good round performance. Everyone's very happy going into the next game, 3 from 3, 2 big games next. So I think we'll just review, take learnings and then move on.
Yeah, a couple of days off before that game, but sitting top of the group and feeling good amongst the squad.
Yeah, I think we're going to be buzzing to get to London, play at Lord's against the West Indies. It's going to be a great night and yeah, we'll just take it as it comes.
And getting big scores, net run rate, it all, it all helps each other.
Yeah, massively.
Just keep playing. Well, let's hear a bit more from the Scotland camp. Kirsty Gordon, part of a really entertaining partnership at the back end of the innings. She bowled really well as well, the former England player. She scored 23 off 17 and also spoke to Victoria after play.
Kirsty, first of all, overall reflections on the match?
Well, I just think it was an amazing game of cricket. I think obviously some It's disappointing to lose, but like what an atmosphere it was here tonight. Yeah, it's hard to sum up at the minute because I think that similar to the other night, there's like so much pride in the group and so much belief. So I think we won, you know, so many overs of that game and it's easy to, you know, stand and speak about losing and the defeat and stuff, but it means more than that to us because, you know, where we are as a team, the funding, to compete, and we competed tonight. There's no doubt about that, with one of the best sides in the world. Like, it's really— God, I'm getting a bit emotional actually. Yeah, it's really special actually, because, you know, we've got none of the funding compared to these girls, and, you know, I think it's just so special that we've been able to come out and put on such a show. And I think the crowd here loved it. The England fans loved us. We loved how well the England players played as well. Well. So yeah, a great game of cricket.
But there were so many Scotland fans in here as well. It felt like a real split between the two sides.
Yeah, it did. It definitely felt like that. And I think it was really friendly in the stands, which was awesome. And at the end of the game, you know, we've lost, we've come off the pitch and all I can hear is the Scotland fans chanting, "No Scotland, no party." So I actually said to Izzy Wong, it's 1-1, our fans win and you've won the game of cricket. So I'm not all in good spirits.
You couldn't have asked for much better start really with that first ball. It really lifted everyone.
Yeah, I didn't know what to do actually. My celebration was probably the worst I've ever done. I was in a bit of shock. But yeah, I was— I think Bryce, he texted me about an hour before we left the hotel saying, "You're having the first over." And I was, yeah, I was a bit nervous, but I obviously worked pretty hard to be in a good place with my bowling in the last sort of 2 or 3 months. And it's great that she's got that faith in me, so it's nice to be able to repay it.
And for England at the back end, there was some real big hitting from the likes of Freya Kemp and Dani Gibson just to work themselves up to that total of 200.
Yeah, it was super, super power hitting, to be fair to them. I thought they both batted brilliantly, and then that's just the inexperience of us probably. Did we set the right fields, the right plans? It's something for us to go away and look at. And equally, you know, we probably didn't have our best fielding performance out there. You know, I think a lot comments have been how good we fielded against Ireland and West Indies, and tonight wasn't our best under pressure. So, you know, there's so many of these little areas that if we'd just been, you know, 1-2% better, I think we could have had them in real trouble.
And from that close game against the West Indies the other night, a couple of injuries as well, which, which made changes.
Yeah, it never makes it easy, especially, you know, our pool of players is pretty small, and to have home girl Slats, um, out injured, and obviously Ailsa, who nearly took us home the other night, were big losses. But equally I thought Pippa was awesome when she came in there at the end and I thought Hannah bowled really well as well. So it just shows now as well we do have strength and depth in our squad and anybody can stand up and do the job for us.
And things to build into the next game against New Zealand.
Yeah, definitely. You know, we've been watching New Zealand closely and they've probably not had the start of the tournament they would like, and I think they'll feel a bit of pressure coming in against us. I think even though we've lost 2 on the bounce, we're, we're building confidence, we're enjoying our cricket We love being around each other, and I think we take loads of positives into that New Zealand game.
Right, that is everything from the Test Match Special podcast. My thanks to Katherine and to Alex and to Victoria for everything, uh, today. And, uh, congratulations to England who have won this all-too-rare Battle of Britain fixture between England and Scotland, played for the first time in 25 years on British soil. It was an entertaining game and a really good crowd in front of which it was played as Wells. So, uh, much to relish on this Saturday evening at Headingley. Don't forget to subscribe to the Test Match Special podcast on BBC Sounds, where you will not miss a thing throughout this bumper summer of cricket from the BBC. Thank you so much for listening. We'll speak to you soon. This is the TMS podcast from BBC Radio 5 Live.
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