Bouchier blitz takes England to verge of semi-finals

The Battle of Sharjah yesterday was more Culloden than Bannockburn: England romped home as winners by 10 wickets in their World Cup match against Scotland.

- Raf Nicholson

Almost as important as the win was the mammoth margin of victory: reaching their target within 10 overs means England now top Group B and have overtaken the net run rates of South Africa and West Indies, putting them in prime position to reach the semi-finals.

England still need to beat West Indies tomorrow to guarantee qualification, but a defeat would mean net run rate will come into play, in what would then be a three-way fight for two semi-final spots.

After opting to bat, Scotland had put 109 for six on the board but England made short work of the target, motoring to a 66-run power-play - the highest of the World Cup so far - with half-centuries for Maia Bouchier (62 in 34 balls) and Danni Wyatt-Hodge (51 in 26 balls).

Bouchier said the pair were unaware of the requirement to reach their target in 10 overs until the chase was well under way. “I didn't know about it until Freya Kemp ran on and told us halfway through,” Bouchier said. “We just looked to be ruthless today and it came off really well.”