7:26pm The England win has just made the points table more interesting. India are in the top half while England hover in the lower half. But India's next game is against the mighty Australians on Saturday in Auckland. Tomorrow, though, is yet another exciting contest with hosts New Zealand taking on the high-flying South Africa. For now, that's it from me S. Sudarshanan on behalf of Srivathsa and Binoy George. Valkerie Baynes' report should be up soon. In case you want to follow some Test cricket, you should head here. Till the next time, stay safe, ta ta!
Heather Knight Bit of relief, we needed that but it was a bit sloppy. We were disappointed with our fielding was going. But good to see the team do well. Our bowlers were outstanding, wasn't an easy pitch to bat on but Ecclestone and Dean made it difficult. The pitch was slow, was tricky and I really wanted to finish it off today. Congratulations to Goswami for her milestone. The cricket gods seemed to be on our side. Nat was outstanding, took the pressure off me on a tricky wicket.
Mithali Raj We definitely didn't have partnership at the top of order, despite getting what we wanted after losing the toss. When you lose, you always think you are short of runs. The thought of putting 200+, the match could have gone either ways. Every game as a fielding unit we are doing well and we hope to continue to do that. Batting is a concern but we'll to address that next match, knowing we are playing a team that hasn't lost to anyone. Congratulations to Jhulan for the (250 ODI wickets) milestone, knowing how difficult it is for bowlers to take the field for so long in career.
India failed their batting test against England; a sterner test against Australia awaits next up. Smriti Mandhana and Richa Ghosh were the only positives with the bat, apart from Jhulan Goswami. But this game is a big props to their bowling, that managed to stumble England six times before they crossed the line. One could only imagine what would have happened had the target been a little more than the meagre 135.
Srividhya: "England has been a nemesis for India in the T20 WC too. It is no different in this WC as they have made it challenging for India to qualify for the semis by not giving away two easy points to halt their progress."
Charlie Dean is the player of the match for her ODI best of 4 for 23. I don't think I was expecting this at the start of the game. We have shown the fight and have done well to get back the win. I was trying to keep it simple and bowl it on the stumps and trust my best ball. Bowling with Ecclestone makes it easy, tells me to trust my best ball and gives me advice on and off the field. I can't imagine you'd be up, (she tells her parents) this is for you.
Ameya: "The much discussed Sciver No-bail-No-dismissal proved costly/ decisive in the end... :("
7:12pm England finally get back to winning ways, but India wouldn't be too disheartened with their performance given they managed to pick six wickets. Welcome return to runs for captain Heather Knight, who stayed unbeaten on 53. Her 65-run third-wicket partnership with Natalie Sciver, who looked class apart, was enough for England to make it home, despite the wobble. A win for England, but their batting is still a worry. Fielding-wise, they seem to have turned a chapter.
Yash: "Two Yorkers - bowled . One full ball leg before and a short ball keeper catch!!!!! India win!!!! "
END OF OVER:31 | 2 Runs | ENG-W: 131/6 (4 runs required from 19 overs, RR: 4.22, RRR: 0.21)
- Heather Knight53 (72b)
- Sophie Ecclestone1 (4b)
- Jhulan Goswami7-1-21-1
- Meghna Singh7-3-21-3
Still not fully comfortable, Kaur. Walking out now and rightly so. The final rites are remaining on the field and she would do well to rest up, recover and get ready for the next clash. She is in too good a form to miss out. Walks off gingerly...
Sandeep: "All India needs is a "Holder"ish 4 in 4...straight-forward!" Anuradha Doddaballapur would do, too.
A slip in position.
Third spell for Goswami.
END OF OVER:30 | 1 Run 2 Wkts | ENG-W: 129/6 (6 runs required from 20 overs, RR: 4.30, RRR: 0.30)
- Sophie Ecclestone0 (1b)
- Heather Knight52 (69b)
- Meghna Singh7-3-21-3
- Sneh Rana3-0-19-0
Prashific: "This shows importance of playing out overs... 20-30 runs at this stage would have made a big difference. "
A slip in place.
Sophie Economical-stone, Excellentstone Ecclestone can do no wrong with the ball. What can she do with the bat?
KH Brunt c †Ghosh b Meghna Singh 0 (3m 2b 0x4 0x6) SR: 0.00
Katherine Brunt.
Pari: "Taking 5 wickets will definitely boost some confidence amid this defeat."
SIR Dunkley c †Ghosh b Meghna Singh 17 (17m 21b 4x4 0x6) SR: 80.95
END OF OVER:29 | 6 Runs | ENG-W: 128/4 (7 runs required from 21 overs, RR: 4.41, RRR: 0.33)
- Sophia Dunkley17 (20b)
- Heather Knight51 (67b)
- Sneh Rana3-0-19-0
- Meghna Singh6-3-20-1