Key events
Out come the players – as the raindrops freckle the camera lens.
Starting on time
Heather Knight is commentating today – after injury ruled her out of this series. Of the strength of this West Indies side, she says, “They’re obviously without a few big players and they’re going through a transition period. I thought Hayley Matthews put it really well during the T20 series – the West Indies haven’t had a huge amount of cricket domestically, so the players are having to learn in the international arena.”
It’s drizzing at Taunton, the skies are dishwater grey.
West Indies XI
West Indies: Qiana Joseph, Realeanna Grimmond, Zaida James, Stafanie Taylor, Shemaine Campbelle (c, wk),Shabika Gajnabi, Jannillea Glasgow, Aaliyah Alleyne, Jahzara Claxton, Karishma Ramharack, Ashmini Munisar.
England XI
Three changes for England and a real jig of the order – NSB will open the batting.
England: Amy Jones (wk), Nat Sciver-Brunt (capt), Emma Lamb, Sophia Dunkley, Alice Capsey, Alice Davidson-Richards, Em Arlott, Charlie Dean, Kate Cross, Sarah Glenn, Lauren Filer.
No Hayley Matthews for West Indies
West Indies are still without Hayley Matthews, so Shermaine Campbell captains again. She’d have bowled first too – and reports that Qiana Joseph is fit again and will open. Ashmini Munisar also plays, Afy Fletcher and Cherry-Ann Fraser miss out.
England win the toss and will bowl!
Under very threatening skies.
“We’ve batted twice, says NSB, “ we decided to look a bit differently at the game. Three changes – Tammy, Lindsey Smith and Lauren Bell are missing out – Charlie Dean, Em Arlott and Sarah Glenn are back – while we’re giving some more opportunities to the batters who have missed out and some shuffling of the order as well.”
We have eyes, ears and pen in Taunton – Raf is ready and waiting:
“Having an iced coffee and a yoghurt flapjack in Tom Lammonby’s new cafe, 9/15, down the road near the Ring of Bells pub. Highly recommended! Weather currently dry. Iced coffee may be optimistic though.”
Preamble
Good morning! After a whirlwind few weeks, it all comes to an end today at Taunton, for the third and final ODI and the last match of this white-ball series against West Indies.
If England win today, they will be undefeated this summer, and the margins of victory – by over a hundred runs in the ODIs and T20 wins by eight and nine wickets, and 17 runs – show the gulf between the two sides.
England are bouncing – the collegiate captaincy of NSB working well, and some tasty performances from top – Tammy Beaumont and Amy Jones – to bottom – Lauren Filer and Lindsey Smith. But there have been some bright sparks for West Indies too – not the least the sparkling half century by debutant pocket rocket Realeanna Grimmand in the last game.
Play starts at 11am, do join us.
