ENG-W vs IND-W: 1st ODI Review – England romp home against listless India

England women romped home comfortably to an eight-wicket victory with a massive 91 balls to spare at the County Ground, Bristol against India in the opening game of the three-match series after dominating their rivals in each department of the game.

Having elected to field, the hosts’ bowlers tightened the noose around India right from the start, never letting them gain the desired momentum. Katherine Brunt and Anya Shrubsole bagged two wickets each, while spinner Sophie Ecclestone claimed 3/40 in her 10 overs, restricting the visitors to a below-par 201/8.

India were pushed on the back foot from the onset as they lost openers Smriti Mandhana and debutant Shafali Verma cheaply. Failing to accelerate throughout the innings, India were dragged to a respectable total by Mithali Raj’s 108-ball 72 and thirties from Punam Raut (32) and Deepti Sharma (30).

Out to chase, England lost Lauren Winfield-Hill for 16 as veteran Jhulan Goswami struck in the powerplay. However, the free-flowing Tammy Beaumont led the charge and kept her team on the front alongside her skipper Heather Knight. Ekta Bisht sent Knight back with England still 119 runs away from the win. No. 4 Nat Sciver ensured that her team did not lose another, smacking a brilliant half-century (74 off 74) in tandem with Beaumont, who stood unbeaten on 87 off as many deliveries.

Top Performers of the match

Mithali Raj (India)

The Indian skipper battled out in the middle and struck only seven boundaries in her 108-ball knock, which was her 56th half-century in the format. With England bowlers not giving much to her, she had to rely on running hard for her runs while she was involved in two half-century stands with Raut and Sharma for the third and fifth wicket, respectively.

Tammy Beaumont (England)

Beaumont made a small and easy target appear even easier with her fearless and attacking brand of cricket. She was hardly troubled by any of the Indian bowlers as she continued to add runs at her own pace. She was well-assisted by Sciver in taking the team to a 1-0 lead.

Key Statistics from the match

At 17 years and 150 days, Shafali Verma became the youngest player to represent India in all the formats of the game as she previously named the same record in T20Is and Test cricket.

What next for the two teams?

The next ODI of the series will be played on 30th June in Taunton.