England edges India by five runs to keep women’s T20I series alive
It was an extraordinary day at the Kia Oval on Friday night, where England managed to triumph despite a spectacular batting collapse and sloppy fielding.
England's Tammy Beaumont in action during the third women's International T20 Match
LONDON: India’s batting faltered at the death as England held its nerve to pull off a narrow five-run win in a thrilling third women’s T20 International here, keeping the series alive.
It was an extraordinary day at the Kia Oval on Friday night, where England managed to triumph despite a spectacular batting collapse and sloppy fielding.
Opting to bat, Sophia Dunkley (75) and Danni Wyatt-Hodge (66) smashed commanding fifties in a 137-run opening stand before England lost nine wickets for just 31 runs in 25 balls to post 171 for nine.
In reply, India looked in complete control with Smriti Mandhana (56) and Shafali Verma (47) adding 85 runs for the opening wicket, aided by several reprieves from England’s butterfingered fielders.
However, Lauren Filer (2/30) bowled a fiery spell to dismiss Mandhana in the 16th over and trigger India’s slide. Sophie Ecclestone (1/24), Lauren Bell (1/37) and Issy Wong (1/36) chipped in with a wicket each to restrict India to 166 for five.
Needing six runs off the final ball, skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (23) fell to Bell while attempting a big shot as India fell short by a boundary.
India was eyeing its maiden T20I series win over England but Dunkley and Wyatt-Hodge came out blazing. Dunkley smashed seven fours and a six in her 53-ball knock, reaching her fifty in 35 balls after being dropped on 43.
Wyatt-Hodge, dropped twice in the ninth over, struck seven boundaries and three sixes in her 42-ball innings.
Deepti Sharma (3/27) broke the stand, dismissing Dunkley in the 16th over when she mishit a full-toss back to the bowler. Arundhati Reddy (3/32) then triggered a collapse in the 17th over, removing Alice Capsey (2), Wyatt-Hodge, and Amy Jones (0).
Capsey was caught by Charani N Shree attempting a ramp shot off a slower ball. Four balls later, Wyatt-Hodge hit another slower delivery straight to Harmanpreet before Arundhati trapped Jones lbw next ball, confirmed on review.
Tammy Beaumont (2) was bowled by Radha Yadav (1/15), while Charani (2/43) dismissed Paige Scholfield (4) and Wong (0). Deepti returned to dismiss Ecclestone (10) and Filer (0) to end England’s innings.
Chasing 172, India raced to 61 in the powerplay. Shafali, dropped in the second over, smashed seven fours in her 25-ball 47 before falling to Ecclestone in the ninth over.
Mandhana reached her fifty in 38 balls, but her dismissal to Filer after playing six consecutive dots gave England hope.
Brief scores: England 171/9 in 20 overs (S Dunkley 75, DW Hodge 66, D Sharma 3/27, A Reddy 3/32) bt India 166/5 in 20 overs (S Mandhana 56, S Verma 47)
