Women's World Cup: England beat hosts India by 32 runs

http://gallery.bizhat.com/data/1692/...-367101060.jpg

Brushing aside the memories of their shocking last-ball loss at the hands of minions Sri Lanka, defending champions England bounced back with a 32-run win over hosts India in their second Group 'A' match of the 10th ICC Women's World Cup at the Brabourne stadium, on Sunday. Marked by contrasting centuries by England skipper and 'Player of the Match' Charlotte Edwards and India vice-captain Harmanpreet Kaur, Sunday's encounter proved special for the English side for more than one reason.

Not only did Edwards bolster English chances with her gritty knock of 109, which happens to be her seventh ODI hundred, but she also etched her name in history books in the process by becoming the highest run-getter in the women's ODIs, breaking the erstwhile record of Australian legend Belinda Clarke.

For the hosts, it was a day they would like to forget in a hurry, as in spite of a tough fight they could not live up to the task. Chasing a target of 273 runs, the Indian outfit faced initial scare as openers Thirushkamini Murugesan, Poonam Raut and captain Mithali Raj were sent back in quick succession. As expected Katherine Brunt led the English bowling attack and became the harbinger of bad news for the hosts claiming four wickets for only 29 runs. Anya Shrubsole, Danielle Wyatt and Arran Brindle further gave teeth to the attack in defiance to Raj's pre-match underestimation of English bowling. "Mithali's words yesterday definitely added fuel to the fire. So here we worked as a unit and produced the results needed," said Brunt in a post-match interaction.

With the home team flailing at 29 for three, vice-captain Harmanpreet Kaur took charge of the situation and along with wicketkeeper-batter Karuna Jain (56) weaved a partnership of 106 runs to bring some stability.

In keeping with her big-hitting reputation, Kaur (107*) gave the crowd a lot to cheer about with her eight boundaries and two sixes and went on to score her maiden ODI hundred. Though they never looked even close to the run-rate required, Kaur maintained a determined front even as her partners kept changing. After Jain, Goswami (19) and Reema Malhotra (17) kept the fight going with the 23-year-old. However, following the departure of Malhotra, the rest fell like a pack of cards.

Brief scores: England 272-8 (Charlotte Edwards 109) bt India 240-9 (Harmanpreet Kaur 107*, Karuna Jain 56, Katherine Brunt 4-29).



More stills


Keywords: memories , champions England , ICC Women's World Cup , Brabourne stadium,England skipper ,Player of the Match,Charlotte Edwards, India vice-captain, Harmanpreet Kaur, gritty , seventh ODI hundred,women's ODIs, Belinda Clarke,Thirushkamini Murugesan, Poonam Raut , captain Mithali Raj,Anya Shrubsole, Danielle Wyatt ,Arran Brindle , wicketkeeper-batter,Karuna Jain, Reema Malhotra ,womens cricket news,sports news