England’s Heather Knight talks about her wicket reversal after a narrow win over Bangladesh in the 2025 Women’s World Cup
Tuesday’s match at ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup at Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati, I witnessed the England match Heather Knight offering a decisive performance against Bangladesh. Chasing 179, England were teetering at 103/6 before Knight’s unbeaten 79, alongside Charlie Dean‘s 29 not out sealed a tense four-wicket win with 23 balls to spare. However, the spotlight wasn’t just on his resilient striking. Three reprieves from the DRS (Decision Review System) have sparked heated discussions. The most debated, however, was the second overhand catch in the 15th.
Heather Knight’s return under pressure
Knight, back in action after a hamstring injury sidelined her since May, embarked on a high-stakes match with England desperate to consolidate their place at the top of the World Cup points table. Bangladesh’s disciplined bowling attack, led by Fahima Khaturn‘s fiery 3/16 put England in deep trouble. Knight, no longer the team captain but still a linchpin, faced a test of spin and swing on a tricky pitch. His response? A composed 79 from 111 balls, interspersed with elegant shots like a reverse sweep which the commentators praised. Yet it was his survival through three DRS appeals that became the talking point.
The controversy that divides opinions
The decisive moment of the match came in the 15th when Knight attempted a takeout. Actor Nahida and the ball seemed to be carrying low towards Shorna Akter with additional coverage. The on-field umpire declared Knight out and the batter began to walk away, accepting the decision without protest. But after examination, the third referee Gayathri Venugopalan determined that the ball had grazed the turf before being properly recovered, overturning the decision.
This turnaround immediately sparked reactions on social networks and among commentators. While some praised the use of technology to ensure accuracy, others felt the evidence was inconclusive and the decision was harsh on Bangladesh.
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Knight’s candid reflection on the incident
After the match, Knight addressed the controversy head-on with honesty and humility. Admitting she initially believed she was out, Knight said she respected the arbitrator’s review process, but acknowledged the unusual nature of his reprieves.
“I can’t say that I was knocked out three times and got a reprieve in one inning, that’s new for me. I thought it was a win and I thought it was a good catch, that’s why I left the field. The third umpire decided otherwise,” » Knight remarked during the post-match presentation.
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This article was first published on WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.
