Sophie Ecclestone played a key role as England Women defeated India Women by eight wickets (by DLS method) in the second Women’s One-Day International at Lord’s on Saturday and level the three-match series 1–1.
In a match interrupted by rain, the hosts chased down the revised target of 115 in the 29-over match with 18 balls to spare.
English openers Tammy Beaumont (34) and Amy Jones (46) put on a 54-run stand for the opening partnership before Sneh Rana dismissed Beaumont leg before. Jones then teamed up with skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt to chased down target.
Before reaching the 20-over mark which is needed to call it a game, rain played spoilsport again as players headed back to the dugout. However, when they did return onto the field, the hosts required mere 13 runs off 5.2 overs for victory.
Despite Sciver-Brunt’s wicket, England reached home in the end quite comfortably and won the game by eight wickets.
Earlier, England won the toss and sent India in to bat first on a wicket that was turning sharply. Only Smriti Mandhana (42) and Deepti Sharma (30) were able to make contributions to the Indian score.
Sophie Eccleston who played a key role for the hosts, taking three for 27 in six overs. Her wickets of Harleen Deol, Harmanpreet Kaur and Richa Ghosh were key in England getting a grip of the game.
The series decider will be played on Tuesday, June 22 at Riverside Ground, Chester-le-Street.
Playing XIs
England Women: Tammy Beaumont, Amy Jones(w), Emma Lamb, Nat Sciver-Brunt(c), Sophia Dunkley, Maia Bouchier, Em Arlott, Sophie Ecclestone, Charlotte Dean, Linsey Smith, Lauren Bell
India Women: Pratika Rawal, Smriti Mandhana, Harleen Deol, Harmanpreet Kaur(c), Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh(w), Arundhati Reddy, Sneh Rana, Shree Charani, Kranti Goud
