The English women comfortably chased down the target of 124 with seven balls remaining to defeat India women in the fourth match of Women T20 tri-series in Australia. It was India’s second straight defeat in the series, it wouldn’t be early to say that India’s form hasn’t been that great in the triangular series. In today’s match the team was let down by yet another poor display of batting by the top and the middle-order.
| Image credit: ICC
Sent in to bat, India got off to a good start with 34 runs in first 5 overs. But soon, India lost Shafali Verma in the fifth ball of the sixth over. Jemimah Rodrigues and Smriti Mandhana together put another 23 before Smriti Mandhana was caught by Amy Ellen Jones off the bowling of Katherine Brunt. Those who followed couldn’t contribute much as India lost wickets at regular intervals. The inability of the Indian batters to strategize their game according to the run of play worked to the advantage of English bowlers, especially Anya Shrubsole who picked up three wickets.
As the match progressed, India’s innings wrapped up at 123/6 and England was ready to chase a lean target of 124. It looked like a one-sided battle and the fans had lost the hope of India winning the match.
However, the early dismissals of England’s top-order, brought India back into the match, albeit temporarily as a well composed innings by Natalie Sciver put England ahead.
England’s bowling attack
England’s bowlers targeted India’s top order | Photo Source: ICC
Today’s match witnessed a strong bowling attack from both sides and it was difficult for the batters to score runs.
However, the English bowling was quite stiff and they made it difficult for the Indians to score runs. The English bowling attack was held firmly by the experienced Katherine Brunt.
She had conceded her most expensive figures against Australia and today was the day of redemption, and what a way to redeem herself.
Her experience was a major figure in controlling India’s batting line-up and in the last eight overs, India was able to hit just two boundaries.
Katherine has been one of the most constant bowlers for England and is one of the finest in the game currently.
Even though the player of the match was Anya, it was Katherine who controlled the innings in the death overs and it was a brilliant decision by the captain to play the experienced bowler against a team that approaches the game in an orthodox style.
Smriti Mandhana: The Unbreakable
Smriti Mandhana was the only strong factor in Indian batting | Photo Source: ICC
Smriti Mandhana is one name that has been on every Indian cricket fan for quite some time now. Smriti shot to fame at quite an early age and the player is one of the finest batsmen in India with the white ball.
For a long time, she was compared to the hitman Rohit Sharma for her hitting capabilities and batting prowess. Smriti Mandhana is a pillar when it comes to Indian batting at such a tender age she has shown so much of potential in her skills.
Like any other day, Smriti was the one for the rescue of her team from a bitter situation and carried the scoreboard on her shoulders as she stood there like a brick without jitter.
Mandhana has gone on to become one of the most influential sports personalities in the country and her batting is much-appreciated al around the globe.
In today’s match, the conditions made it worse for her to bat but she stood there and faced every challenge with full confidence and was successful in contributing to a target that was worth to fight for.
The Shrubsole and Sciver Show
Natalie Sciver scored a quickfire 50 off just 36 balls | Photo Source: ICC
After a successful bowling riot by the English team, which was led by Anya Shrubsole and Katherine Brunt, it was time for some quick-fire batting action.
Anya Shrubsole was in good form today and her brilliant bowling statistics won her the player of the match award. She was quite confident of her skills and abilities and made 3 Indian batsmen prey to her fantastic spell.
As the bowlers were done with their part of the job, it was now time for the batsman to make their way.
The batting was quite slow at the start and at one time it looked like India will be able to defend their total. Early wickets by Rajeshwari Gaekwad became a worrying issue for England.
Rajeshwari was able to hold the England batters for quite a while but the storm struck in the form of Natalie Sciver. Her 36 ball 50 was the major factor in England’s victory today and it was not much left to conquer for the team after she got out.
Her style of playing and ball hitting ability surprised everyone in the crowd and her batting was quite flawless throughout.
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