After more than four years, England’s World Cup-winning captain finally tasted an ODI century once again.
On 97, Heather Knight stepped out to play a lofted shot against left-arm spinner Sri Charani but mistimed it. The ball took a faint edge, the wicketkeeper couldn’t grab it despite diving forward, and the boundary fielder failed to stop it at the last moment. That fortunate moment sealed Knight’s milestone — she celebrated it in style with a magnificent hundred.
In Sunday’s Women’s ODI World Cup clash against India in Indore, Knight scored a brilliant 109 off 91 balls, laced with 15 fours and a six.
This was Knight’s 300th international match, making her the third Englishwoman and eighth in the world to reach the milestone. Before the match, former England cricketer and commentator Isa Guha presented her with a special jersey marked “300.”
It was Knight’s first ODI century in over four years and her third overall in 154 matches — two of which have come on the World Cup stage. Her previous tons were 106 against Pakistan in the 2017 World Cup and 101 against New Zealand in September 2021.
At 34 years and 297 days old, Knight became the second-oldest Englishwoman to score an ODI hundred, behind Janet Brittin, who struck 138 against Pakistan at the 1997 World Cup at 38 years and 161 days.
Coming in at No. 3 after Tammy Beaumont’s dismissal in the 16th over, Knight built a solid 113-run partnership with captain Nat Sciver-Brunt for the third wicket. She reached her fifty off 54 balls and completed her century in 86 deliveries before being run out in the 45th over.
England, having opted to bat first, posted a total of 288 for 8 in 50 overs.
