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In the second WODI played between England Women and India Women at the iconic Lord’s, the former looked dominating and clinched an eight-wicket win. In the rain-curtailed game, Sophie Ecclestone put up an extraordinary show with the ball and grabbed 3/27 figures in her six overs. Her disciplined bowling helped England restrict the visitors at a score of 143/8 in 29 overs. In the second innings, Amy Jones did a magnificent job as an opener and took the hosts home with her unbeaten 46 off 57. She was accompanied by her opening ally Tammy Beaumont, who delivered a fierce start to the side.
However, during the fifth over of England’s run chase, an incident happened which has become a talking point. Beaumont played a stroke towards the mid-wicket, where Jemimah Rodrigues was deployed. Rodrigues displayed alacrity and delivered a throw towards the striker’s end. The ball veered off Tammy’s pad and she seemed to already be making it to the crease through her right leg forward. The throw didn’t strike the stumps but wicket-keeper Richa Ghosh appealed for obstructing the field. On-field umpires referred the decision to the third umpire, Jacqueline Williams and she ruled the England opener not out. At the time of the incident, Beaumont was playing at a score of 25* off 17.
Controversy emerges for the second time at Lord’s within three years
This is the second time within three years when both sides met at Lord’s and the controversy broke out. Earlier, in 2022, when both teams played against each other at this venue, India Women spinner Deepti Sharma mankaded Charlie Dean in the intriguing third ODI and bundled out England’s innings to help her team win the game. Following that game, the debate emerged whether Deepti did right by dismissing Dean that way.
After the two matches of the WODI series, the series is leveled at 1-1 and both teams will now look to win the third match in Durham to emerge triumphant in the competition.
