5 things we learned from England’s rout of the West Indies

England Women are celebrating a 5-0 clean sweep of the West Indies, a series that represented their first international cricket since the T20 World Cup in February.
Here, the PA news agency looks at what lessons were learned during the matches.
England should spin it to win it
No matter the team, no matter the format, international captains all over the world would love to have a spin unit like the one Heather Knight has at her disposal. In Sophie Ecclestone, Sarah Glenn and Mady Villiers they have the slow left-arm, off-spin and leg-break boxes ticked – a perfectly balanced trio on turning pitches and one that has more years in front of it than behind.
Keightley’s powerplay plan needs refining

Tammy Beaumont revealed that head coach Lisa Keightley had asked for England to improve their output in the six-over powerplays, encouraging risk-taking and aggression at the top of the order. It worked in the first two matches, kickstarting the innings with a flurry of boundaries but as the West Indies tightened up, England found themselves hindered by early losses and losing the head to head. Work still to do.
Katherine taking the Brunt of the pace burden
Looks like Brunty enjoyed that one!
Live clips: https://t.co/rAf1vOsqLt#WomensCricketMonth | #ENGvWI pic.twitter.com/kzmAjqY7vj
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) September 28, 2020
At the age of 35, Katherine Brunt is still leading the attack with class. She is bowling at a good speed, has some useful slower variations and is a genuine wicket threat first up. Her economy rate of 4.7 over five matches, including two lesser spotted maidens, means she remains an irreplaceable cog in this team.
Don’t get too carried away by the clean sweep
WI were an inch closer in the nail biting encounter! 🙁Well Played @englandcricket 👏🏾👏🏾#WIWomen #WIFierce #ENGWvWIW pic.twitter.com/H1tWZrEJrn
— Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) September 30, 2020
A 5-0 series win is not to be sniffed at and represents just reward for the hard work the squad have put in this summer which, at one stage, looked like it would go in vain. But it must also be remembered that their tourists signed up at short notice, with minimal training time and were pitched straight from the Caribbean into unwelcoming conditions in Derby. Stiffer tests await.
The ECB’s commitment is genuine
“Thank you for letting us do what we love.”
A message from the skipper!#WomensCricketMonth | #ENGvWI pic.twitter.com/4L8sSpsULv
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) September 30, 2020
The England and Wales Cricket Board have said many fine words about their investment in the women’s game but the recent pandemic has proved them ready and willing to match them with actions. Endless work was put in to arrange replacement opponents when India and South Africa pulled out, charter flights were laid on and a logistically demanding bio-secure bubble was set up to facilitate the contest safely. In years gone by, would the same effort have been expended?
Latest
-
News
Dawid Malan happy to stay put after Trent Rockets’ show of faith
The England batsman has earned an improved deal in The Hundred.
-
News
England coach Chris Silverwood grateful for gift of the Gabba
India’s famous win over Australia grabbed the England squad’s attention in Galle.
-
News
A look at unbeaten sporting runs following end of Australia’s Gabba dominance
Australia had not been beaten at the Gabba since 1988.
-
News
Justin Langer: Rishabh Pant’s innings reminded me of Ben Stokes at Headingley
India’s Shubman Gill and Pant inspired a record-breaking victory over Australia at the Gabba.
-
News
Tim Paine: India deserves winners, outplayed Australia
Australia captain Tim Paine has conceded that his side were outplayed in key moments of the series and that India were deserved winners.
-
News
Rishabh Pant reflects on ‘dream series’ after India stun Australia at the Gabba
India’s Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant inspired a record-breaking victory at the Gabba.
-
News
India move to the top of ICC rankings
After beating Australia by three wickets in the fourth Test on Tuesday, India moved to the number spot on the ICC World Test Championship.
-
News
Rishabh Pant unbeaten 89 steers India to series win over Australia
India pulled off a record run chase at the Gabba to inflict Australia’s first defeat there since 1988.
-
News
Joe Root shares victory call with fan who waited 10 months for team to arrive
England’s Test captain spoke with Rob Lewis, who has been in Sri Lanka since March, from a distance.
-
News
5 of the best England wins on the sub-continent
Joe Root’s side were convincing winners in the first Test in Sri Lanka.