England women register a consolation win in the 3rd ODI against India

England women registered a consolation win in the third and final ODI of ICC Women’s World Championship against India played at Mumbai on Thursday. Thanks to Mandhana and Raut, the hosts posted a competitive total and then almost defended the target.

Indian captain Mithali Raj won the toss and decided to bat first. India got off to a worst possible start as Jemimah Rodrigues was dismissed for 0 runs. Smriti Mandhana and Raut steadied the innings with some lovely stroke play. At the end of 10 overs, India were 31 for 1.

The stylish left-handed batter reached her 16th ODI fifty off just 56 balls and then Punam Raut completed her fifty off 85 balls. Katherine Brunt came into the attack and dismissed both well-set batters in quick succession. Smriti Mandhana and Punam Raut added 129 runs for the second wicket. From 129 for 1, thanks to Katherine Brunt's brilliant spell, India were reduced to 144 for 6.

Deepti Sharma and Shikha Pandey added some valuable runs for the 8th wicket. Shikha Pandey scored 26 runs while Deepti Sharma remained not out on 27. India posted a competitive total of 205 for 8 in 50 overs.

Chasing the target, Jones and Beaumont gave the team a decent start adding 25 runs for opening wicket. The veteran Goswami struck early by dismissing Jones and Beaumont. At the end of 10 overs, England were 39 for 2.

Indian bowlers then reduced England to 49 for 5. Captain Heather Knight and Wyatt steadied the innings with a 69-run partnership for the sixth wicket. Poonam Yadav got the important wicket of Heather Knight for 47.

Wyatt and Elwiss then put on another crucial partnership of 56 runs to guide the visitors on course for a win as Wyatt reached her ODI fifty off 78 balls. Pandey dismissed the dangerous Wyatt for 56. However, Katherine Brunt and Elwiss added 30 runs for the 8th wicket.

Elwiss remained not out on 33 while Shurbsole came to the crease and hit a boundary to help England women win a thrilling match by two wickets and seven balls to spare.

Brief scores: England women 208 for 8 in 48.5 overs (Wyatt 56, Heather Knight 47, Elwiss 33*, Jhulan Goswami 3/41, Shikha Pandey 2/34) beat India 205 for 8 in 50 overs (Smriti Mandhana 66, Punam Raut 56, Deepti Sharma 27*, Katherine Brunt 5/28) by 2 wickets.