Devon's Heather Knight steers England to place in Women's World Cup

HEATHER Knight’s England team have booked their place in the ICC Women’s World Cup on home soil next summer, after beating Sri Lanka in Colombo today (Saturday). 

The 122-run victory at the R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium was the first of three ICC Women’s Championship matches to be played against the hosts, and secures England the two points they needed heading into the series to guarantee them one of the four automatic qualification spots available for ICC’s 50-over flagship event in England next year.

Knight, who skippers Western Storm in the Kia Super League and played for Plymstock and Devon earlier in her career, said:  ‘It’s a brilliant feeling to have secured automatic qualification for the ICC Women’s World Cup in England next summer. 

‘We have the best fans in the world, so to get the opportunity to play in a World Cup on home soil is really exciting, and something that we are all already looking forward to.

‘Playing in that first round of the ICC Women’s Championship back in 2014 against India feels like a long time ago now. 

‘We have grown and developed so much as a squad since then, especially in the last 10 months or so, and we are learning all the time. 

‘How we played against Pakistan this summer, followed-up by the hard fought victory in the Caribbean, is testament to the work that the players are putting in.

‘We are still a young team, and there will undoubtedly be the odd bump as we move forwards, but this is such an exciting time for us as a group. 

Our main focus now is to stay in the moment and make sure that we finish the year on a high out here in Colombo.

‘There’s still a lot of hard work to come over the next eight months but I think every cricketer grows up dreaming of playing in a World Cup final at Lord’s, and by winning today, that dream has come one step closer for us.’

England women are now 2-0 up in the four-match ODI series against Sri Lanka with the final two ICC Women’s Championship matches left to play at the R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium (RPICS) in Colombo on Tuesday and Thursday.

Knight top scored with 53 in England’s all-out total of 295. Natalie Scriver and Lauren Winfield were not far behind with a brace if 51s.

Danielle Hazell then too three for 38 as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 173 with seven balls to go.