ENGLAND ON TOP OF THE WORLD
England players pose after winning the ICC Women’s World Cup cricket final against India at Lord’s cricket ground in London on Sunday. The hosts won after Anya Shrubsole took six wickets to clinch a nine-run victory. —
Anya Shrubsole bowled England to a dramatic nine-run win over India in the Women’s World Cup final at Lord’s on Sunday. India, set 229 to win, were well on course for victory at 191 for three in front of a full hose of more than 26,000.
But the dismissal of opener Punam Raut, who made a fine 86, lbw to Shrubsole, sparked a stunning collapse.
Shrubsole took five wickets for 11 runs in 19 deliveries as India, bidding for a first World Cup title on the ground where their men’s side won an inaugural World Cup crown in 1983, slumped to 219 all out.
Pacer Shrubsole finished with stunning figures of six for 46 in 9.4 overs as England won a fourth World Cup title and third on home soil, by gaining revenge for their opening group stage loss to India.
“It was just an unbelievable game. We looked for minute like we were out of it,” Shrubsole said. “But one of the great things about this team, we never give up. We never let the run rate get away from us, even though we weren’t getting wickets. We knew if we got a couple we’d be right in the game and all was well in the end.
“I think it’s a dream and a dream you never think is going to come true.”
Opener Smriti Mandhana was bowled for a duck by Shrubsole. But fellow opener Raut hit Shrubsole back over her head for six. Meanwhile India captain Mithali Raj likely to be her last chance to win a World Cup after being on the losing side in 2005, struck several fine boundaries. But the alltime leading run-scorer in women’s oneday internationals, effectively ran herself out for just 17.
Her exit brought in the big-hitting Harmanpreet Kaur, who lofted and swept leftarm spinner Alex Hartley for two huge sixes. Raut went to fifty in 78 balls and Kaur got there in 80 balls. But the duo were separated when Kaur swept Harley straight to Tammy Beaumont at deep backward square to end a stand of 95.
Sarah Taylor missed a chance to stump Raut, on 65 off spinner Laura Marsh.
Another chance went begging when Veda Krishnamurthy (10) was dropped by England captain Heather Knight at extra cover off pace bowler Jenny Gunn.
India’s target was now under a run a ball and Veda Krishnamurthy raised a fifty stand with Raut off just 54 balls when she cut Shrubsole over point and drove her over mid-off for two fours in as many balls. Raut’s fine innings ended when she was lbw to Shrubsole, having faced 115 balls including four fours and a six. It was the start of a cascade of wickets as panic set in.
Earlier pace bowler Goswami took three for 23 in 10 overs as India held England to 228 for seven. Goswami’s haul, which saw her take two wickets in two balls, included the dismissals of star batsman Taylor (45) and top-scorer Nat Sciver (51).—
Super proud of the girls. Tough luck today but womens cricket in India has truly arrived. Thank you girls .Salute your spirit. #WWC17Final Virender Sehwag @virendersehwag
Feel for all of you, #WomenInBlue! You were good throughout but sometimes it is not meant to be. Congrats England on winning ! #WWC17Final Sachin Tendulkar @sachin_rt