Chasing a modest 126-run target, the Charlotte Edwards-led side sailed home with four balls to spare despite some early hiccups.
English women cricketers couldn’t have asked for a better occasion to remind everybody that they are currently the best Twenty20 side in the world. On Monday — International Women’s Day — the visitors beat Indian women’s team by a comprehensive five-wicket margin to clinch the series 2-1 at the MCA ground in Bandra-Kurla Complex here.
Chasing a modest 126-run target, the Charlotte Edwards-led side sailed home with four balls to spare despite some early hiccups. Following the trend of shuffling their batting order in every game, England decided to give young off-spinner Danielle Hazell a chance to open the batting. Hazell though was foxed in the second over by left-arm spinner Gouher Sultana.
In the next over, a sharp catch by Soniya Dabir at extra cover — off Rumeli Dhar’s medium-pace — halted Edwards’ run. She scored 17 with the help of four boundaries. In the fourth over, highest wicket-taker Sultana struck again to get one-down Katherine Brunt stumped.
After four overs, England were reeling at 23-3. Laura Marsh and Beth Morgan then steadied the ship by stitching a 49-run stand for the fourth wicket. After Morgan fell, Marsh added another 42 runs with Jenny Gunn, which sealed the game in favour of the visitors.
Earlier, England invited India to bat.
The scoring rate of Mithali Raj-led side was pretty slow as they reached 100 only at the end of the 17th over. Thanks to some power hitting by birthday girl Harmanpreet Kaur (30*) in the end, India could cross the 120-run mark. Poonam Raut (26), Mithali Raj (22) and Anjum Chopra (22) did make useful contributions but 125 was not enough.
Brief scores: India 125/4 (H Kaur 30*) lost to England 126/5 (L Marsh 46*; G Sultana 3/26) by 5 wickets
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