Mandhana, Raj guide India to win over England

Derby (England), JuNE 24

The Indian women’s cricket team launched their campaign at the ICC Women’s World Cup with a comfortable 35-run win over England, riding on superb batting display by the top-order, here today. 

Smriti Mandhana struck a sizzling 90 off 72 balls in a dominating batting display as India posted an imposing 281/3 after being asked to bat. Mandhana forged a 144-run opening wicket stand with Poonam Raut (86 off 134) before skipper Mithali Raj (71*) completed an unprecedented seventh consecutive half-century in ODIs. 

India then returned to dismiss England for 246 with 15 balls to spare to make a resounding start to their World Cup campaign at the County Ground. It is India’s first win over England in five years as they had lost all six previous matches to the hosts.

Chasing 282 to win, England failed to build partnership with middle-order batswoman Fran Wilson (81 off 102) emerging as the highest scorer. Her run out proved turning point of the game. Off-spinner Deepti Sharma took three wickets for 47 runs. 

New Zealand beat Sri Lanka by nine wickets. — PTI

Focus on Yuvraj, rain in second ODI 

Port of Spain: Yuvraj Singh’s patchy form and fear of inclement weather will be paramount when India take on West Indies in the second ODI tomorrow. The first ODI was abandoned after 39.2 overs with India reaching 199/3 when persistent showers played spoilsport. PTI