Guwahati, India – England captain Heather Knight made a triumphant return to international cricket in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, scoring an unbeaten 79 to guide her team to a four-wicket victory over Bangladesh.
This marked Knight’s first ODI innings in nearly nine months, following a significant hamstring tendon injury sustained in May. Her last ODI appearance was in Hobart, Australia, on January 17.
Despite challenging conditions and wickets falling around her, Knight displayed composure and tactical acumen, building her innings carefully while finding the right moments to play aggressively. England chased down a target of 179 with four overs to spare, largely thanks to her measured knock.
Reflecting on her performance, Knight said:
“It wasn’t my most fluent start. I was just trying to get through and find my method quickly. I’m really pleased I was able to do that in a World Cup game under pressure. The middle period, particularly in the partnership with Charlie Dean, was when I really started to feel in a groove and find my rhythm.”
Knight’s return to form provides a timely boost for England, who now have two wins from two matches, topping the World Cup standings ahead of their next clash against Sri Lanka in Colombo on Saturday.
England Squad: Nat Sciver-Brunt (c), Em Arlott, Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Bell, Alice Capsey, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Filer, Sarah Glenn, Amy Jones, Heather Knight, Emma Lamb, Linsey Smith, Danni Wyatt-Hodge