Shrubsole steals the show as England edge India in thrilling World Cup final
Anya Shrubsole bowled England to a dramatic nine-run win over India in the women’s World Cup final at Lord’s yesterday.
India, set 229 to win, were well on course for victory at 191-3 in front of a full house of more than 26,000.
But the dismissal of opener Poonam Raut, who made 86, lbw to Shrubsole, sparked a stunning collapse.
Shrubsole took five wickets for 11 runs in 19 deliveries as India slumped to 219 all out.
Pace bowler Shrubsole finished with figures of 6-46 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.
Opener Smriti Mandhana, who made 90 in that match, was bowled for naught by Shrubsole.
Meanwhile India captain Mithali Raj, in what was 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 all-time leading run-scorer in women’s one-day internationals, effectively ran herself out for just 17.
Her exit brought in the big-hitting Harmanpreet Kaur, whose 171 not out had set up India’s semi-final win over reigning champions Australia.
Raut reached 50 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 then 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 50-run 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 judged leg before 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.
Krishnamurthy made a fine 35 before she holed out off Shrubsole before Goswami was yorked by Shrubsole for naught.
Shikha Pandey was run out before Shrusbole ended the match by bowling Rajeshwari Gayakwad for zero as England won yet another close game this World Cup.
Earlier, pace bowler Goswami took 3-23 in 10 overs as India held England to 228-7.
Goswami’s haul, which saw her take two wickets in two balls, included the dismissals of Taylor (45) and top-scorer Nat Sciver (51).
England started steadily after Knight won the toss. But from 47-0, they lost three wickets in quick succession to be 63-3, with leg-spinner Poonam Yadav (2-36) having Knight lbw for just one on the sweep.
Taylor and Sciver put on 83 before Goswami, the all-time leading wicket-taker in women’s ODIs, struck in her second spell.
Taylor was caught down the legside by wicketkeeper Sushma Verma. And 146-4 became 146-5 when Fran Wilson was lbw first ball.
But England’s tail, with Katherine Brunt making 34, took them past 200 and those runs proved vital in the end.