Right then that is it from the first T20I of this series as England Women have defeated India Women by 38 runs. The girls in blue need to think about their fielding and the lack of power-hitters in the middle order. All you need to do is switch tabs for more cricketing actions as the buildup for the 2nd ODI between the West Indies and England is already up and running. Until next time. Cheers!
Natalie Sciver-Brunt is the player of the match for her brilliant all-round performance. She says that she is really happy to be back in form and be able to put up a good performance. She feels that she wanted to be brave and take the attack to the opposition also Crediting Danni Wyatt for her batting. She adds that they played to their strengths and built a strong partnership. She felt that the wicket was good and the key was to pick the right lengths.
The victorious skipper of England Women Heather Knight says that everything went according to plan and it feels amazing when something as such happens. Adds that India Women is a nice side and against them, the side couldn't afford any lapses and the batters assessed the match situation well after being 2 down relatively early in the game and reacted accordingly in a brilliant manner that helped the side to score big.
The losing skipper of India Women Harmanpreet Kaur says that they didn't bowl according to the plan but the new bowlers will adjust soon enough and they will learn from their mistakes. She credits Natalie Sciver-Brunt and Danni Wyatt and says that they will come ready with more plans next time. She also mentions that the fielding could be better and will bounce back with a positive attitude. She feels like they didn't capitalize on the last 10 overs while batting
Time for the presentation ceremony...
Earlier in the day after being asked to bat first, England Women struggled to start with and lost a couple of early wickets managing only 44 in the powerplay but a sensational 3rd Wicket partnership between Natalie Sciver-Brunt and Danni Wyatt of 1 38 runs helped the side post a mammoth total. Natalie Sciver-Brunt was the top scorer with 77 while Danni Wyatt played a good hand of 75 as well. Amy Jones played the role of a finisher with her strokeplay as she had a brilliant cameo of 23 runs right at the end. The bowling from India Women was good to start with but they lost their way after the powerplay. Renuka Singh took 3 wickets while the debutant Shreyanka Patil took a couple and the other debutant Saika Ishaque took a wicket for India Women.
The bowling from England's Women was good enough to defend such a mammoth total. Sophie Ecclestone was the pick of the bowlers as she picked up 3 wickets while others chipped in with a wicket each as well. Mahika Gaur and Lauren Bell went wicketless but they were economic nonetheless. The bowlers were well aided by some sensational work in the field by their teammates. England Women draws the first blood as they lead the 3-match T20I series by 1-0.
Chasing down such a mammoth total the India Women started positively with 12 runs coming for the first over but the innings lost the track a bit as Smriti Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues departed cheaply. Through the heroics of Shafali Verma, India Women scored 53 for 2 at the stroke of the powerplay. It was then a partnership between Harmanpreet Kaur and Shafali Verma that brought back some hope for the hosts but the dismissal of Harmanpreet Kaur just after drinks dealt a massive blow to Indian hopes. Richa Ghosh played well for her cameo of a quickfire 21 as well. There were contributions from a few players but none went on to score big and share the responsibility with Shafali Verma who scored 52 runs in a losing cause.
In a game that saw over 350 runs from 40 overs, it is England Women that have emerged victorious here at the iconic Wankhede Stadium as they defeat India Women by 38 runs.
In over# 20
4
0
1
1
0
1
Lauren Bell 35/0(4)
19.6
4
FOUR To end the innings but England Women have taken the lead in the series. Lauren Bell goes full and outside off. Pooja Vastrakar slaps it down the ground racing away to the fence for four runs.
19.5
.
Slow and full outside off. Pooja Vastrakar slaps it to the fielder at covers.
19.4
1
Short and around off. Deepti Sharma pulls it to deep square leg for a single.
19.3
1
On length outside off. Pooja Vastrakar slaps it to long off and takes a single.
19.2
.
Full again outside off. Pooja Vastrakar sweeps it but misses out on the connection.
19.1
1
Full outside off. Deepti Sharma whips it to mid-wicket for one run.
In over# 19
0
0
0
1
0W
0
Sophie Ecclestone 15/3(4)
18.6
.
Pitched up on middle. Pooja Vastrakar drives it back to Sophie Ecclestone for a dot to end a very good over.
18.5
.
Floated full on leg. Pooja Vastrakar has driven it to the fielder at covers.
18.4
.
Very full and on leg. Pooja Vastrakar digs it out back towards the bowler.