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England played valiantly against India in a rain-curtailed second WODI, at the iconic Lord’s and bagged an eight-wicket win. Bowling first after winning the toss, the English team created pressure on the visitors from the second over of the match. In the second over, Emily Arlott got the crucial scalp of opener Pratika Rawal, who could score only three runs. Smriti Mandhana and Harleen Deol maintained a 40-run stand off 46 balls. Sophie Ecclestone broke their partnership by getting rid of Harleen, who got caught and bowled against the spinner.
After Deol’s departure, Harmanpreet Kaur, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Richa Ghosh got dismissed on single-digit scores. Smriti Mandhana, along with Deepti Sharma, built a 26-run partnership for the sixth wicket. Mandhana fell against left-arm spinner Linsey Smith after chipping in with 42 off 51. Riding on the batting efforts from Deepti Sharma (unbeaten 30 off 34) and Arundhati Reddy (14 off 18), India reached 143 runs in their 29 overs. Ecclestone looked extraordinary with the ball and registered 3/27 figures in her six-over spell. Emily Arlott also grabbed two wickets and Charlie Dean also picked up the crucial scalp of Rodrigues.
England chased down the target with ease
Pursuing the target, England openers Amy Jones and Tamsin Beaumont looked dominant against India bowlers and built a 54-run partnership off 62 balls for the first wicket. Sneh Rana removed Beaumont from the crease but Jones took the excellent work ahead and got support from her skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt, who contributed with a 21-run innings.
With the rain interruption, the match was reduced to 24 overs and England were now tasked to follow 116 runs. Jones (unbeaten 46 off 57), along with Sophia Dunkley (nine off nine), completed the chase for their side in 21 overs. Ecclestone’s bowling brilliance made her the Player of the Match (POTM).
