2017 ICC Women’s World Cup – Final: India Needs 229 Runs To Lift Maiden World Cup
Jul 23, 2017 at 6:51 PM
In the sold-out grand finale of Women’s World Cup 2017, England has set a target of 229 runs on super Sunday for Mithali Raj-led India – to lift their maiden World Cup title and script history at the Mecca of cricket.
After batting first, Heather Knight-led England registered 228 runs in their allotted 50 overs after the loss of seven wickets, as the visitors kept on picking the wickets at regular intervals while containing the hosts’ batters in their backyard.
Of late, Jenny Gun and Laura Marsh added 33 runs for the eight-wicket in order to help the side — to cross past 200-run mark. Jenny remained unbeaten on 25 off 38 balls, as Marsh posted 14* off 11 deliveries.
Katherine Brunt, who has played a vital cameo down the order, fell to the direct hit of Deepti Sharma in the attempt of a run after Laura Gunna hit the ball straight into the hands of Sharma. The 32-year-old Katherine smashed 34 off 42 balls at the strike-rate of 80.95.
For England, Natalie Sciver was the top scorer with 51 off 68 balls and the right-handed batswoman was equally supported by stylish top-order batter Sarah Taylor to take their side out of a bother after their side was reeling at 63 for three in 16.1 overs.
For India, it was the experienced fast bowler Jhulan Goswami, who bowled her heart out to claim three prized scalps in the form of Natalie Sciver, Sarah Taylor and Frank Wilson. The right-arm pacer was consistent with her line and the length while conceding just 23 runs in her quota of 10 overs which further saw three maidens.
The leg-spinner Poonam Yadav bagged two wickets, as the left-arm orthodox spinner Rajeshwari Gayakwad claimed a wicket of opener Laura Winfield.
After coming into the bat, England opening batters Laura Winfield and Tammy Beaumont gave a cautious start to the hosts, as both put on 47 runs for the first wicket in 11.1 overs. The opening batter Laura struck 23 off 35 deliveries, as her innings included four boundaries.
On the other side, Tammy Beaumont, after smashing five boundaries scored 23 off 37 balls. Jhulan broke the dangerous partnership between Sarah and Natalie when Sushma Verma completed a low-catch down the leg after a ball took the feather of Sarah’s bat.
Sarah scored 45 off 62 deliveries in a bid to build up the innings in the middle overs after batters struggled against Indian bowlers. After Sarah was sent back to the pavilion, on the very next delivery, the right-handed batter Fran Wilson was trapped in front of the stumps on a Yorker by Jhulan.
Earlier, wicket-keeper Sushma Verma dropped a catch of Laura Winfield on the very first ball of the 10th over when Rajeshwari Gayakwad was bowling to put brakes on England’s run-rate.
However, the 12th over bowler Gayakwad with her left-arm orthodox spin kept on bowling the tight line and the length to dismiss Laura Winfield round the legs, as England’s scorecard read 47 for one in 11 overs. In the 15th over, Tammy Beamount was caught by Jhulan Goswami in the deep after taking the full toss on the high of slow-bowler Poonam Yadav.
England skipper Heather Knight (1 off 7), who failed to make any difference, was adjudged leg before wicket (LBW), on the bowling of leg-spinner Poonam Yadav.