Kate Cross, Sophia Dunkley and Katherine Brunt helped England Women win by five wickets in the second ODI at Taunton as the hosts took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series against India Women this Wednesday, June 30.
In what turned out to be a closely fought contest, Kate Cross’ five-wicket haul, Sophia Dunkley’s unbeaten half century, and Katherine Brunt’s valuable contribution helped England Women cross the finishing line by five wickets with 2.3 overs to spare.
As it happened, India’s openers Smriti Mandhana (22) and Shafali Verma (44) provided a solid start to the visitors with 56 runs in 11.5 overs. But soon they were reduced to 77/3, with the top 3 back in the hut. Captain Mithali Raj and Harmanpreet Kaur joined hands to stitch together a partnership of 68 runs for the fourth wicket, before Kaur (19) caught and bowled by Cross.
India’s batting woes continued as they saw another collapse, where they lost 6 wickets for 47 runs. Raj played her part to perfection while the wickets kept falling at the other end, top-scoring with 59. India reached 221 somehow, courtesy of late contributions from Jhulan Goswami and Poonam Yadav.
Kate Cross was the star for England with the ball as she ran through India’s batting line up with the wickets from top 7. Cross returned with incredible figures of 5/34 in her 10 overs. Sophie Ecclestone continued her great form to take 3 for 33.
England’s chase didn’t go as planned, as their superstars Tammy Beaumont (10) and Heather Knight (10) were dismissed before the 50-run mark. Winfield Hill (42), Nat Sciver (19), Amy Jones (28) all had good starts, but none of them could go on to convert big as the hosts were reduced to 133/5 in 28.5 overs.
With 89 more to win, England were in a bit of a spot of bother with half the side back in the dugout. Sophia Dunkley, who had scored a fifty in her debut Test, took the charge of the run-chase. Dunkley, along with Katherine Brunt (33*), put on an unbroken partnership to steer the hosts to a five-wicket win. Dunkley hit five fours and a six in her spectacular knock of 73* of 81.
Kate Cross was named ‘Player of the Match’ for a fiery five-wicket haul. England Women lead the series 2-0, with the last ODI slated on July 3.
Brief Scores
India Women – 221 in 50 overs (Mithali Raj 59, Shafali Verma 44, Kate Cross 5/34, Sophie Ecclestone 3/33)
England Women – 225/5 in 47.3 overs (Sophia Dunkley 73*, Winfield Hill 42, Poonam Yadav 2/63) won by five wickets.
