England maintained their 100% start in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup and took a big step towards the semi-finals with an impressive 11-run win over India in South Africa.
Renuka Thakur (5-15) tore through England's top order to take a 29-3 lead with a knock that was followed by 50 from Nat Sciver-Brent help led the counterattack. Scivers-Brunt scored 51 with captain Heather Knight, Amy Jones' quickfire 40 put England 151-7 ahead and Smriti Mandhana made 52 off 41 balls.
The cheap dismissals of opener Shafali Verma, Jemim Rodriguez and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur contributed to the rout as India never recovered from their collapse in the top order.
England lost Danni Wyatt for a golden duck while batting first after losing the toss when she edged Thakur's third delivery of the innings, and Ghoshi made a good catch behind the stumps.
In her subsequent over, Thakur dismissed Alice Capsey early and removed Sophia Dunkley, leaving England three down inside of five overs. Knight, however, survived a review for LBW and a close call to help Sciver-Brunt get the innings back on track.
Sciver-Brunt was caught attempting a reverse sweep right after reaching a 41-ball fifty, while Knight lost her wicket when she picked out Shafali Verma at cover off a Shikha Pandey full toss.
The most expensive player in the Women's IPL, Mandhana, led from the front early in India's innings by launching four boundaries in a single over as they began their chase. England's spinners successfully managed to keep the run rate low in the middle order as India managed 44 runs without crossing the boundary. Sophie Ecclestone claimed captain Harmanpreet Kaur's wicket was part of her brilliant 1-14.
Ghosh briefly threatened to drag the game down as he made 47 off 34 balls, including two sixes, while Catherine Sciver-Brunt's 19-run final was not enough to prevent England from going their third win of the match.
What’s next match?
Pakistan will face the West Indies on Sunday, February 19, 2023 at 6:30 PM IST. On the same date and venue, New Zealand will face Sri Lanka at 10:30 PM IST at the Boland Park in Paarl.
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