Heather Knight marked her comeback in style, guiding England to a composed victory over Bangladesh at the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025.
Knight Finds Her Rhythm After Injury
It had been nearly nine months since Heather Knight last played an ODI innings — her previous outing came in January against Australia in Hobart. A serious hamstring tendon injury sidelined the England skipper for much of the year, raising questions about her readiness for a global tournament.
Those doubts were firmly dismissed in Guwahati as Knight produced a match-winning unbeaten 79, anchoring England’s chase of 179 in testing conditions. The knock was far more than just numbers on a scoresheet — it was a gritty, calculated performance that highlighted both her resilience and her experience.
A Captain’s Knock Under Pressure
England’s pursuit of the target was anything but straightforward. Bangladesh bowled with discipline and regularly picked up wickets, leaving Knight with the responsibility of holding the innings together. She bided her time, absorbed the pressure, and slowly built her rhythm, particularly during a crucial partnership with Charlie Dean.
“There were moments when I didn’t feel fluent, especially at the start,” Knight admitted post-match. “But sometimes it’s just about digging in, finding your method, and waiting for the right moments to play more aggressively. I’m just delighted I could see it through in a big World Cup game.”
Her innings wasn’t without fortune — a couple of overturned decisions and some nervy moments kept Bangladesh hopeful. But the captain’s resolve to stay until the end ensured England crossed the finish line with four overs to spare, sealing a four-wicket victory.
England’s Perfect Start
With two wins from two matches, England sit on top of the standings after the opening rounds of the World Cup. Knight’s successful return not only boosts England’s campaign but also adds depth and stability to their batting order ahead of tougher challenges.
The squad now heads to Colombo for their next clash against Sri Lanka, carrying momentum and confidence from their captain’s statement performance.
England Squad for CWC25
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