Heather Knight scored a century as England beat Thailand ©Getty Images

England captain Heather Knight scored a superb century as her country got back on track by beating Thailand at the International Cricket Council Women's T20 World Cup in Australia.

The skipper's unbeaten 108 at the Manuka Oval in Canberra led the way in a predictably comfortable 98-run win over the tournament minnows. 

She blasted 13 fours and four sixes with her score coming from just 66 deliveries.

It powered England, who lost their opening Group B game to South Africa, to 176-2 with Nat Sciver ending not out on 59.

Thailand, who are making their World Cup debut and are treating the event as a learning curve, could not get close with the bat as they ended on 78-7.

They will take heart, however, after reducing the 2009 winners to 7-2 after winning the toss and electing to field.

England opener Amy Jones lasted just two balls before being stumped for a duck by Thai wicket-keeper Nannapat Koncharoenkai, off the bowling of Nattaya Boochatham.

Fellow opener Danni Wyatt was also dismissed without scoring as Wongpaka Liengprasert took a fine catch from a Soraya Lateh delivery.

That was as good as it got for the Thais, however, before Knight turned on the style.

Anya Shrubsole took 3-21 with the ball for England while Sciver also chipped in, taking 2-5.

"We were gutted after the performance the other day so [it's] nice to bounce back," said Knight.

"It was about staying calm, keeping it simple, not panicking and building a partnership. 

Pakistan's captain Bismah Maroof guided her side to victory over West Indies ©Getty Images
Pakistan's captain Bismah Maroof guided her side to victory over West Indies ©Getty Images

"It's sometimes hard to keep your standards so I thought we did that well. 

"I thought it was quite a clinical performance. 

"Every game is a must win game for us now. 

"We've got a long way to go."

In the other Group B game, Pakistan beat West Indies by eight wickets in their first match of the tournament.

The West Indies, who beat Thailand in their first fixture, were restricted to 124-7 as Diana Baig took 2-19.

Both captain Stafanie Taylor and Shemaine Campbelle scored 43 but the total was never enough and it was expertly chased.

Pakistan captain Bismah Maroof ended unbeaten on 38 and Javeria Khan scored 35 in the reply.

"We as a team know we are smart cricketers and we need to stay with what our strengths are," said Maroof.

Group A will resume tomorrow with hosts and holders Australia taking on Bangladesh at Manuka Oval.

India will take on New Zealand at Junction Oval in Melbourne.

The top two sides in each group will reach the semi-finals.