Right. England lift the one-day trophy but India will not be too disappointed. They have got some well-earned momentum ahead of the T20I series. The multi-format scoreline reads 6-4 in favour of England, so all is set for a potentially cracking end to this tour. The T20Is begin from Friday, 9th July, 2021, with the first match scheduled to be in Northampton. The action starts from 6.30 pm local (1730 GMT). Do join us then. In the meanwhile, you can catch a plethora of international action coming up - WI-SA, Zim-Ban, WI-Aus and what not! Enjoy to the fullest. ADIOS! TAKE CARE!
England Women's captain, Heather Knight, is disappointed with the result but calls it a good game. Puts the defeat to lack of runs and believes that they could not get the singles going and the lack of a set batter at the end hurt them. Feels that they bowled well but lost their composure towards the end. Is happy to have been tested by the Indians in this game. On being asked as to how did the English lose the game, Knight feels that no set batter went on to score big and that is what cost them the game. On pace off being the key to this match, Knight says that with the ODI series dusted, they were looking at players who could roll their arms over. Looks back at certain individual performances in this ODI series, naming Kate Cross and further adds that the team learnt a lot as well.
Victorious Indian captain and also the PLAYER OF THE MATCH, MITHALI RAJ, says that she never focusses on strike rates or other comments and only looks at her game. Stresses that she just wanted to concentrate on her own game and stay till the end. Adds that she wanted to guide Sneh Rana towards the end so that she does not throw her wicket away. Calls her phenomenal, as an allrounder, reminding all about her display in the Test and predicts that Rana will become one of India's greatest in the future. On being asked about her reaction to becoming the leading run getter in Women's International cricket, Mithali just smiles and modestly says that she is just happy to be here.
SOPHIE ECCLESTONE HAS BEEN NAMED THE PLAYER OF THE ODI SERIES. Says that she is disappointed with the result but enjoyed her displays. Adds that it is nice to have the confidence of the captain. Praises her own skipper. Heather Knight and also Sarah Glenn, for their performances.
England Women did well to put the pressure on India but lack of wickets hurt them. With wickets in hand, a batting side can always cover up the required rate. The lines and lengths were decent from the hosts, but the visitors batted with calmness and confidence. Skipper Mithali once again showed how important she is to the side, with a fine 75 from 86 balls. Strike rate concerns, anyone? For England, Sophie Ecclestone was the pick of the bowlers, with 2 wickets. Please stay tuned for the presentation...
At the halfway point, one always felt that England were 20-30 runs short and in the end, it did turn out that way. India put on a decent batting performance, which was all about partnerships. 46 for the opening wicket between Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana, 50 between Harmanpreet Kaur and Mithali Raj, 33 between Mithali Raj and Deepti Sharma and in the end, 50 between Mithali Raj and Sneh Rana. Two batters crossed 40 but crucially, neither threw her wicket away and concentrated on forging partnerships. Things got a bit too close in the middle overs but that final stand between Mithali and Rana turned the tables over.
Comprehensive win from India. The series is alive and kicking, with the scoreline reading 6-4 in favour of England. 3 more matches to go and this sets up the T20I series coming up very nicely!
In over# 1
4
1
1
Katherine Brunt 45/0(7.3)
46.3
4
FOUR AND INDIA WIN BY 4 WICKETS! Full, outside off, Mithali Raj leans and eases this through the gap between cover and point. The ball is in the gap and races away to the fence! Victory with 3 balls to spare
46.2
1
Perfect for India. Mithali back on strike. Around middle, Jhulan Goswami works it through square leg for a run. 4 needed from 4 balls.
46.1
1
Outside off, Mithali Raj punches it straight to point for a single. 5 needed from 5 balls.
Jhulan Goswami is the next batter in. Mithali will be on strike. Who will finish this off? The skipper herself?
In over# 1
0W
0
4
1
2
1
Sophie Ecclestone 36/2(10)
45.6
W
OUT! BOWLED! End of a fine cameo and a match-winning stand. Full, outside off, Sneh Rana gets across, looks to paddle but plays way too early. She misses, the ball hits her pads and then hits the stumps! England celebrate but India just a hit away from a win.
45.5
.
On middle, hit straight towards silly mid on.
45.4
4
FOUR! Full, around middle, Sneh Rana comes down the track and swings it wide of long on. The fielder runs to her right, sticks out her hand but the ball just tips over her hands. The umpire wants to check whether this is a four or a six and replays show that the ball bounced just inside the line. India Women a hit away from a win, need 6 more from 8 balls!
4? Or a six? Either way, this is a killer hit! Boundary signalled.
45.3
1
The arm ball, around off, the skipper punches this down to long on for a run. India Women need another 10 from 9 balls.
45.2
2
Outside off, Mithali Raj goes inside out, over cover and gets a couple.