Defending champions England have finally registered a convincing win in the World Cup as they beat India comfortably.
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Defending champions England have finally registered a convincing win in the World Cup as they beat India comfortably. Charlotte Dean registered her career-best 4 for 23 and a half-century from Heather Knight helped England’s four-wicket victory after three defeats in their World Cup title defence.
Reduced to 4 for 2 after having restricted India to a total of 134, England’s chase was steadied by the knocks of Nat Sciver (45) and Knight (53*). And, Meghna Singh’s career-best 3 for 26 went in vain as the Indians couldn’t restrict them.
Heather Knight won the toss and elected to bat first. Anya Shrubsole was provided with the first breakthrough and her deadly opening spell of 6-1-20-2 restricted India to score quickly in the powerplay. Shrubsole scalped Yastika Bhatia with a full delivery that swung in, took an edge before hitting the stumps and claimed her 100th ODI scalp.
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In the next over, Sophia Dunkley grabbed a fine low catch, while diving at cover point, to remove Mithali Raj as India slipped to 25 for 2. Soon Deepti Shama ran out by a Kate Cross’ direct hit at the bowler’s end from mid-off. Meanwhile, Dean took only two balls to break the stand upon being introduced into the attack in the 17th over as well. She dismissed both Harmanpreet Kaur and Sneh Rana. Smriti Mandhana, the anchor at the other end, tried her best but soon missed a sweep against Sophie Ecclestone three balls later to get out for 35. Pooja Vastrakar too failed in the 25th over after missing her half-hearted sweep as well.
However, Richa Ghosh and Jhulan Goswami added a 37-run partnership where they comfortably hit their strokes. However, another sharp piece of fielding from Nat Sciver saw Ghosh’s dismissal after a 56-ball 33 and eventually got out to 134 inside 37 overs.
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While chasing, England too lost quick wickets where a stunning full-stretch diving effort of Rana at first slip showed some hope. Alongside this, Goswami also used DRS quite well, after dismissing Tammy Beaumont in front, to record her 250th ODI wicket as well. However, the pace bowler, Meghna Singh showed a great performance but that wasn’t enough as England won the game with ease.
Brief scores: India 134 all out in 36.2 overs (Smriti Mandhana 35, Richa Ghosh 33; Charlotte Dean 4-23, Anya Shrubsole 2-20) lost to England 136/6 in 31.2 overs (Heather Knight 53*, Nat Sciver 45; Meghna Singh 3-26) by 4 wickets
