England beat Ireland but Sciver-Brunt in injury scare

Women's T20 World Cup, Group 2, Southampton

Ireland 118-9 (20 overs): Prendergast 26 (18), Little 26* (15); Ecclestone 3-22, Dean 2-11, Gibson 2-10

England 119-6 (17.3 overs): Sciver-Brunt 48 (38); Prendergast 2-17

England won by four wickets

Scorecard. Tables.

A major injury scare around captain Nat Sciver-Brunt overshadowed England's four-wicket victory over Ireland at the T20 World Cup in Southampton.

With nine runs needed, Sciver-Brunt, who has only just returned from a calf injury, retired on 48 and walked straight to the dressing room.

England later said she had suffered "tightness" in her left calf - the same leg as the recent injury - and left the field as a precaution.

After Sciver-Brunt left the field, England also lost Freya Kemp for two before edging home in pursuit of 119 with 15 balls to spare.

But, while the hosts now have two wins from two at begin their home World Cup, they now have a significant worry about the fitness of their captain.

She had previously appeared untroubled in putting on 64 with Heather Knight after Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Amy Jones and Alice Capsey fell in the space of 10 balls.

Earlier, Sophie Ecclestone took three wickets and Dani Gibson and Charlie Dean two apiece, as England dominated much of Ireland's innings of 118-9.

England have four days until their next match - a meeting with Scotland at Headingley.

Ireland, who have lost two from two, stay in Southampton to play winless New Zealand on Friday.

From what looked like a routine win, to an issue that could have major implications for England's quest to win a first World Cup since 2017.

England beat New Zealand and India at the start of the summer while Sciver-Brunt was absent but she remains their best and most important player. Vice-captain Charlie Dean had not led the side three months ago.

There were no signs of any issue until she walked off, having just hit a four to square leg.

Sciver-Brunt played the issue down but walking off two runs away from a fifty, with her side two hits from victory, is obviously a concern.

England were 35-3 when their captain and Knight came together.

Earlier openers Danni Wyatt-Hodge and Amy Jones, who made 16 and nine respectively, had sliced catches to the ring off spinner Amy Maguire and Alice Capsey bowled by an Orla Prendergast yorker for five.

Sciver-Brunt's measured counter won the game for England but the state of her left calf could be far more significant.

England's late wobble comes with the caveat of the confusion caused by Sciver-Brunt's retirement. England were solid for large parts of the remainder of the game.

Faced with a low total, Wyatt-Hodge and Jones can face little criticism for continuing to attack. Their departures also gave others an opportunity.

The only player who had a real off day was seamer Lauren Bell. She conceded a boundary with the first delivery of Ireland's innings and was hit for four fours by Louise Little in a final over that cost 17 and boosted Ireland's score.

In between, Ireland were unable to counter as England mixed spin with seam through the middle.

Dean bowled accurately and found turn to induce false shots with 36% of her deliveries. Ecclestone mixed her pace to have Rebecca Stokell stumped with a quicker ball and Arlene Kelly and Cara Murray gave looping catches for figures of 3-22 and Gibson, who took 2-10 in two overs, had Ireland's best batter Prendergast bowled via an inside edge for 25.

Ireland have now lost 19 T20 World Cup matches from 19, but this performance was more encouraging than Saturday's defeat by Scotland.

They were good with the ball - Prendergast, who dismissed Knight lbw for 26, again impressive - but did not have enough runs to defend.