ENG-W vs IND-W: 2nd ODI Review – England clinch series victory with comfort

An unbeaten 81-ball 73 in from Sophia Dunkley after a sensational five-for from Kate Cross led England women to gain an unassailable lead in the three-match ODI series against India. Setting a target for the second time in the series, India bettered their performance from the previous game in Bristol, although not enough to level the series.

Shafali Verma scored 44 from 55 with the help of seven fours at the top of the order while Mithali Raj notched up her second consecutive half-century (59 from 92). Although, lack of support from others meant that the visitors could only reach 221, which was also thanks to some lower-order hitting from Jhulan Goswami and Poonam Yadav.

With the ball, Cross accounted for half the Indian side in her 10 overs, conceding merely 34 runs, while Sophie Ecclestone bagged her second three-for of the series (3/33). During the chase, Lauren Winfield-Hill’s quick 42-run knock kept England ahead, but India managed to chip wickets at regular intervals.

Having reduced England to 133/5, India might have sensed an opportunity to make a game, only to be denied by a massive 92-run stand between Dunkley and Katherine Brunt. Dunkley’s composed and well-paced knock had five fours and a six, while Brunt played the perfect foil to her by scoring 33 from 46 and remaining unbeaten to ensure that her team chased the target with five wickets and 15 balls remaining.

Top Performers of the Match

Mithali Raj (India)

Indian skipper led her team with the bat once again, scoring her 57th half-century and the second in the series. Alongside Harmanpreet Kaur, she added crucial 63 runs for the fourth wicket and was run-out for 59 towards the end of the innings as she tried to steal a double.

Kate Cross (England)

Kate Cross was the wrecker-in-chief with the ball, bagging her second fifer in the format and giving only 34 runs in her quota. She was duly awarded the Player of the Match for her match-winning effort.

Key Statistics from the match

This was England’s 101st win at home in the 50-over format.

Having scored a half-century in her maiden Test innings (74 against India in Bristol), Sophia Dunkley scored a half-century in her maiden ODI innings as well.

What next for the two teams?

The next ODI of the series will be played on 3rd July in Worcester.