India easily defeated England by six wickets at Old Trafford on Wednesday, securing a decisive 3-1 lead in the five-match series under the leadership of an all-around performance. India overtook the score with three overs remaining, chasing 127 for victory.
England chose to bat, and their innings got off to a poor start. Sophia Dunkley was at her best against Shree Charani in the third over. She hit the first ball beyond cover point for a boundary. Then worked a flighted delivery over cover for a six. Despite being costly in the opening two overs, Charani eventually got rid of Danni Wyatt-Hodge.
Even though England continued to score goals, particularly when Tammy Beumont replaced Sneh Rana, the striking rotation was insufficient to keep the scoring rate under check. Radha Yadav’s superb fielding in the second half limited the scoring rate, therefore the early inability to apply any pressure backfired.
India
England’s attempts to hurry up were successful. By the 19th over, England had fallen to 110 for 7, as wickets continued to fall at a rapid pace. Sophie Ecclestone and Izzy Wong’s sixes in the last over helped England cross the run-a-ball threshold, but the total wasn’t competitive enough.
In the powerplay, Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma blasted from both ends. Destroying any chance England had of making the pursuit difficult for India. In just the first four overs, India reached 45/0. The third half-century opening partnership of the series had set the stage for a resounding victory, but England did manage the scoring pace for a few overs after that, even getting Shafali caught at backward square leg.
Mandhana eventually retired as well, giving the short third fielder an advantage, but India held firm. Experienced professionals Harmanpreet Kaur and Jemimah Rodrigues ensured. There was no fear as they effortlessly rotated the strike on their way to their 42-run partnership for the third wicket. 4. The hosts were not too comforted by England’s quick dismissals of Harmanpreet and Amanjot Kaur.
