England briefly threatened a record run-chase in women’s ODI cricket before falling to a 13-run defeat in their series decider against India in Durham.
Chasing 319, skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt (98) led from the front, sharing in a 162-run partnership for the third wicket with Emma Lamb (68) after England got off to a disastrous start when stumbling to 8-2 in the opening three overs.
The key dismissal came to end the 35th over, DRS showing Sciver-Brunt gloved an attempted sweep behind off Deepti Sharma (1-55), with England still needing a further 124 from the final 90 balls.
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Watch Nat Sciver-Brunt’s incredible innings, before she was forced to depart just two short of a century.
Sophia Dunkley (34), Alice Davidson-Richards (44) and Charlie Dean (21) all made contributions, but the required rate continued to climb as wickets tumbled and England ultimately fell 13 short in the final over.
India’s victory rounds off a hugely successful tour for the visitors, adding their 2-1 ODI series triumph to their earlier 3-2 success in the T20 series.
Harmanpreet Kaur anchored India’s fine batting effort after winning the toss, the captain cracking 102 off 84 balls – her seventh ODI century and third against England – as her side posted 318-5.
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Jemimah Rodrigues had her innings ended after a terrific catch by Amy Jones.
Both Harmanpreet and Sciver-Brunt passed 4,000 ODI runs during their impressive innings, while Jemimah Rodrigues (50) hit a 44-ball half century when celebrating her 50th ODI cap.
Smriti Mandhana (45) and Harleen Deol (45) both made valuable contributions from the Indian top order, while Richa Ghosh smacked an unbeaten 38 off 18 at the back end as she, Harmanpreet and Rodrigues combined to smash 120 off the final 10 overs.
The record run-chase looked to be one well beyond England’s grasp when Kranti Goud (6-52) found herself on a hat-trick with the dismissals of Tammy Beaumont (2), bowled through the gate. and Amy Jones (4), out to a stunning diving Sharma catch, across her opening two overs.
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Kranti Goud finds herself on a hat-trick after claiming Tammy Beaumont and Amy Jones across her opening two overs!
The early setbacks meant a sizeable rebuild was required, but Sciver-Brunt and Lamb appeared to be going about it too slowly, with only 22 scored off the 10-over powerplay, until the pair began to up the ante after bringing up their century stand.
Forty-seven runs were added between overs 24 and 29 until Lamb, who had already been dropped twice, on six and 58 – as well as surviving a ball rolling back onto her off stump but not dislodging the bail – saw her luck finally run out when bowled by Shree Charani (2-68) in the 31st.
England’s hopes thereafter rested firmly on Sciver-Brunt’s shoulders, if they didn’t already, but she was gone soon after, two runs shy of a 10th ODI century, courtesy of a wisely-used India review.
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Jemimah Rodrigues ‘excellent’ catches see the end of Charlie Dean and Sophie Ecclestone.
Dunkley was run out, while Dean and Sophie Ecclestone (1) fell to a couple of impressive Rodrigues catches at long-on in consecutive overs, but Davidson-Richards remained and, with 44 needed from the final three overs, she boosted England’s fading hopes with 10 scored off the first two balls of Gaud’s over – only for the Indian seamer to have the last laugh.
For the second time in the match, Gaud found herself on a hat-trick when dismissing Davidson-Richards and Lauren Filer off consecutive deliveries to end the 48th, while she wrapped up the match and the series win with her sixth in the final over.
England vs India results
T20 international series
One-day international series
Watch the fourth Men’s Test between England and India at Old Trafford, live on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event from 10am on Wednesday, ahead of the first ball at 11am. Stream without a contract.
