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England kept the five-match Women’s T20I series alive with a nail-biting 5-run victory over India in the 3rd T20I at the Kennington Oval on Friday, July 4. After winning the toss and electing to bat, England posted a challenging total of 171/9 in their 20 overs, largely thanks to a scintillating opening partnership between and Danielle Wyatt-Hodge. India, despite a strong start to their chase, fell just short, finishing on 166/5. This crucial win marks England’s first success in the five-match T20I series, with India still leading 2-1.
England’s dominant start and dramatic collapse
England’s innings was a tale of two distinct halves: a period of explosive hitting followed by a dramatic collapse. Openers Dunkley and Wyatt-Hodge set the stage ablaze, showcasing exceptional form and aggressive intent. Their remarkable 137-run partnership laid a formidable foundation for England’s total. Dunkley, who was deservedly named Player of the Match, was the aggressor, smashing a brilliant 75 runs off just 53 deliveries, an innings punctuated by 7 fours and a well-struck six. Wyatt-Hodge, equally impressive, provided excellent support, hammering 66 runs off a mere 42 balls, including 7 fours and 3 towering sixes. Their relentless assault on the Indian bowlers had England looking set for a massive total.
Muscled down the ground by Wyatt-Hodge 😮💨
— England Cricket (@englandcricket)
However, the momentum shifted dramatically once Dunkley departed in the 16th over, caught and bowled by Deepti Sharma. Her dismissal triggered a stunning unraveling of England’s innings. From a commanding position, England shockingly lost 9 wickets for just 34 runs in the final five overs. India’s bowlers, who had been on the back foot, staged a remarkable comeback to restrict the damage. Deepti Sharma was the architect of this turnaround, finishing with an excellent spell of 3 wickets for 27 runs from her four overs. Arundhati Reddy also played a crucial role in the collapse, claiming 3 wickets for 32 runs. Shree Charani bagged 2 wickets, while Radha Yadav chipped in with one dismissal, collectively ensuring England didn’t run away with an unassailable score.
India’s valiant chase falls short in a thrilling finish
Chasing 172 for victory, India Women began their reply with clear intent, mirroring England’s aggressive start. Openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma put on a rapid 85-run stand, keeping India firmly in the hunt. Verma was particularly devastating, scoring a quickfire 47 off a mere 25 balls, including 7 fours and 2 powerful sixes, showcasing her explosive batting. Mandhana, ever the anchor, continued her fine form with a well-composed 56 runs off 49 balls, hitting 10 boundaries and keeping the scoreboard ticking.
However, the crucial dismissal of Shafali Verma marked a shift in momentum, much like England’s innings. Despite solid contributions from Jemimah Rodrigues (20 off 15 balls) and captain Harmanpreet Kaur (23 off 17 balls), England’s bowlers tightened their grip in the latter half of the innings. Lauren Filer was instrumental in stifling India’s scoring rate, claiming 2 crucial wickets for just 30 runs from her four overs. Lauren Bell also picked up a key wicket for 37 runs, while Issy Wong secured one wicket for 36 runs, and Sophie Ecclestone was economical with her 1 wicket for 24 runs.
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The match came down to a tense final over, with India needing 11 runs for victory. England’s bowlers held their nerve under pressure. The game culminated in a dramatic final ball, with India needing 6 runs. Lauren Bell, entrusted with the last over, delivered, dismissing Kaur and . This thrilling win ensures the series remains a captivating contest as it heads into its penultimate match.
THE WINNING MOMENT! 🤩🎉
— England Cricket (@englandcricket)
The series now moves to Old Trafford for the 4th T20I on Wednesday, July 9, promising another exciting chapter in this compelling India Women tour of England.
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This article was first published at , a Cricket Times company.
