England 180 for 6 (Wyatt 81) beat West Indies 138 for 9 (King 43) by 42 runs
An excellent knock by Danielle Wyatt propelled England to a convincing 42-run victory in the second T20I against West Indies at Northampton.
The victory gives the hosts a 1-0 lead in the series after the opening match, also in Northampton, was washed out on Tuesday and marks their 14th win in a row across all formats.
England, who were scarcely challenged in sweeping their three-match ODI series against West Indies, didn't have things all their own way in this match, however. A defiant 43 off 34 balls by Stacy-Ann King, combined with a glittering cameo from Chedean Nation, who scored 32 off 20, put the England bowlers under some pressure for a while. But they responded well to claim key wickets at the right time, assisted by some sharp fielding and, in particular, typically excellent glove work by wicketkeeper Sarah Taylor.
The same could not be said for West Indies' fielding. Described after the first ODI by captain Stafanie Taylor as "atrocious", the fielding which had improved somewhat in the two matches that followed, reverted in this match with a rash of errors resulting in missed opportunities.
But it was Wyatt's brilliant 81 off 55 balls that set England on their way to 180 for 6, their highest T20I score against West Indies. Opening alongside Amy Jones while Tammy Beuamont dropped to No. 3, Wyatt's 10 fours were beautifully struck. She dug in as Jones fell for 37 - which included four fours and a big six - when Chinelle Henry made up for dropping Wyatt at extra cover by enticing Jones to drag on.
Beaumont was out for just two when Afy Fletcher came into the attack with immediate effect, her fuller ball tempting Beaumont to try pushing it down the ground only to send it back to the bowler, who took a sharp catch low to her left on her follow-through.
Nat Sciver contributed 31 off 18 deliveries before she was bowled by Hayley Matthews, who also accounted for Wyatt eventually. Wyatt, who had just lofted Shamilia Connell through long-on for four, edged the next ball from Connell to Matthews at backward point.
"Rob [England coach Mark Robinson] said, 'go out and express yourself,' and I did," Wyatt told Sky Sports. "That's my job to go out and try and get the team off to a good total. Amy Jones has done really well, Tammy Beaumont, so there's competition for places at the minute, so everyone's got to perform."
Katherine Brunt came in up the order but didn't last long and Heather Knight reached 22 off 11 before she was run out by some tidy work from Karishma Ramharack. The England captain felt some pain in her hamstring following her innings which prevented her from fielding and meant Anya Shrubsole took on the skipper's duties. The move was later described as precautionary while the extent of the problem was being assessed.
West Indies began their chase poorly, stumbling to 19 for 2. They were 58 for 3 when Stafanie Taylor, who had survived an earlier run out chance, tried to run on an overthrow and was caught out of her ground as Brunt threw in to Sarah Taylor.
King stood firm, however, assisted by Nation, who hit Kate Cross and Sophie Ecclestone for sixes, the former travelling some 75 metres down the ground. King was dropped on 41 by Jones but only added two more runs before she skied Linsey Smith to deep square leg, where Wyatt was loitering just inside the boundary to swallow the catch.
When Nation was run out by Fran Wilson gathering well at mid-wicket and sending the ball back to Smith at the bowler's end, West Indies looked in trouble again and a sharp stumping by Sarah Taylor to remove Henry all but put the result beyond doubt. Smith and Brunt claimed two wickets each.
The final match will be played in Derby on Tuesday.
