England get opening win over Pakistan

England's women have opened their home World Cup cricket tournament with a convincing win over Pakistan.

England's Heather Knight (left) celebrates reaching her century

England's Heather Knight and Natalie Sciver both posted centuries against Pakistan. (AAP)

Maiden centuries by Natalie Sciver and Heather Knight helped England post their highest-ever Women's World Cup total on their way to beating Pakistan by 107 runs on the Duckworth-Lewis Method at Grace Road.

Sciver hit 137 off 92 balls and captain Heather Knight scored 106 off 109 balls as England recovered from 2-42 to finish at 7-377, the second-highest total in competition history behind Australia's 3-412 in 1997.

The 213-run partnership equalled England's third-wicket record stand set back in 1993, while Pakistan left-arm spinner Nashra Sandhu finished with figures of 1-82 - the most expensive in the ICC Women's World Cup history.

Pakistan opener Ayesha Zafar was 56 not out and No.5 Nain Abidi 23no when rain brought an early end to the proceedings with the scoreboard reading 3-107 in 29.2 overs.

England captain Knight was full of praise for Scriver's role in setting up the win.

"Natalie fully deserves her player of the match award. She struck the ball so cleanly, it was really nice to get that partnership together and have a convincing win," Knight said.

Sciver was the first to reach her century in the 37th over, driving down the ground for a single to become England's second fastest ODI centurion - seven balls slower than what Charlotte Edwards had managed in 2012.

Knight followed suit two overs later, courtesy of a reverse paddle for four, before she was caught by substitute fielder Diana Baig with Sciver also snaffled shortly afterwards by the same substitute fielder at mid-wicket.

Pakistan's reply got off to a poor start when Nahida Khan was caught for seven by Sciver off Katherine Brunt before Javeria Khan (11) and Asmavia Iqbal (5) were also dismissed cheaply.

A rare positive was the form of Ayesha with the opener bringing up her half-century off 67 balls.


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Source: AAP



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