Sophie Ecclestone creates history, reaches 100 ODI wickets as England beat Pakistan - 'Pretty special'

Sophie Ecclestone has made history as the fastest female cricketer to reach 100 wickets in one-day internationals.

She achieved the feat as she removed three batters to help England thrash Pakistan by 178 runs in Chelmsford to clinch a series win.

Nat Sciver-Brunt hit a century as Heather Knight’s side reached an imposing 302-5 with the bat.

Sciver-Brunt’s bowling figures of 2-11 and Ecclestone’s record-breaking contribution helped England dismiss their opponents for 124 all out.

Ecclestone came into the game with 98 ODI wickets to her name and she reached a ton in successive balls by pinning Umm-e-Hani lbw before Nashra Sandhu was caught for a duck at slip.

The spinner reached the feat in 64 matches to level the effort of Australia’s Cathryn Fitzpatrick, but she moved above her in the record books in terms of number of innings bowled.

Speaking after the match, Ecclestone said: "To have taken over 100 ODI wickets is pretty special. I'm not that good with stats, but it's amazing to overtake them all and hopefully, I can continue.

"I feel like I play my best when I'm enjoying it and having a laugh with the girls on the field. Hopefully, I can keep enjoying it and stay there."

Captain Heather Knight was full of praise for Ecclestone on a special day for the Lancashire player.

"I love captaining her,” Knight said.

“The control she gives you as a captain and the attacking threat she gives you on both edges is really cool.

"It's mad - she's 25 and she's already got 100 wickets, which is a pretty cool thing to do. I'm super proud of her.”

England's home summer continues with a white-ball series against New Zealand which starts in June.

Later this year, Knight’s side travel to Bangladesh for the T20 World Cup.

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