England Women Sweep ODI Series Against West Indies with Commanding Win in Rain-Affected Finale
England Women Sweep ODI Series Against West Indies with Commanding Win in Rain-Affected Finale
England Women delivered a clinical performance to seal a 3–0 whitewash over the touring West Indies Women in the third and final ODI, played at The Cooper Associates County Ground in Taunton. In a rain-hit encounter reduced to just 21 overs per side, the hosts dominated from start to finish, securing a nine-wicket victory via the Duckworth–Lewis–Stern (DLS) method.
A Rain-Affected Start with Early Wickets
After winning the toss, England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt opted to bowl first under cloudy skies. The overcast conditions suited the English seamers perfectly, with Kate Cross and Emily Arlott dismantling the West Indies top order. Within four overs, the visitors found themselves reeling at 4/3. The collapse continued until rain forced players off the field with the score at 43/3 in 12.3 overs.
Sarah Glenn Shines on Return
England’s bowling unit functioned like a well-oiled machine. Arlott (2/15) and Cross (1/7) provided the early breakthroughs, while Charlie Dean and Linsey Smith applied further pressure with disciplined spin bowling.
Sciver-Brunt Leads from the Front with the Bat
Chasing a revised target of 107 in 21 overs, England got off to a brisk start with Sophia Dunkley scoring 26 off 21 balls. But it was Nat Sciver-Brunt who stole the show with the bat. The skipper smashed a blistering 57 not out from just 33 deliveries, including 9 boundaries, as she led the chase with confidence and composure.
She was well supported by Alice Capsey, who added an unbeaten 20 off just 11 balls. England chased down the target with ease, finishing on 109/1 in just 10 overs — a statement win that underlined their dominance throughout the series.
Series Recap: Total Control by England
England’s 3–0 clean sweep in the ODIs followed their earlier 3–0 win in the T20I leg of the tour, making it a perfect tour for the hosts. The series featured standout performances from Amy Jones, who was the top run-scorer, and Linsey Smith, who led the wicket-taking charts in the ODIs.
Despite missing star spinner Sophie Ecclestone, who is on a short break to focus on her wellbeing, England looked balanced and prepared across departments. The team’s bench strength was on full display as fringe players stepped up and delivered.
West Indies Left Searching for Answers
Campbelle acknowledged the team’s shortcomings, saying, “We need to spend more time in the middle and execute our plans better. It’s a young team, and we’re still developing, but we have to be more consistent.”
Looking Ahead: What’s Next?
England now shift their focus to a high-profile home series against India starting June 28 in Nottingham. With key players in form and young talent like Capsey and Arlott gaining confidence, the hosts look well-positioned for another strong showing.
West Indies, on the other hand, will have little time to regroup. They begin their next assignment against South Africa Women on June 11 in Barbados. The tight schedule leaves them just a few days to address critical issues, particularly their top-order batting.
Final Thoughts
The third ODI at Taunton may have been shortened by rain, but it clearly showed the gulf between the two sides. England's strength, depth, and leadership under Sciver-Brunt shine brightly, while the West Indies are left with plenty of questions and much work to do before their next series.
As England continue to fine-tune their combinations ahead of the Women’s World Cup, performances like this will only boost their confidence. For West Indies, it’s back to the drawing board with an urgent need to find form and fight.
