England defeat Indian women to win series 3-2

By Francis Saldanha
Bellevision Media Network

England, 14 July 2012: It feels too bad that Indian girls lost the series, being 2-0 up in the two ODI matches and losing the series by 3-2 in five match’s series hurts a lot but they put up a very respectable show. They lost all 5 tosses and were always behind on that count. Nice to see the Indian girls do reasonably well against probably the best side in women’s cricket. India had a good chance of clinching series. But a spectacular show by England women took the series away. England was superb in all the departments. 

 

 

 
From the Indian women’s cricket perspective, this is a much improved performance from women in blue from India.  Obviously the side needs to bat a bit better to give England or any other top side a hard run.  I wish Mithali Raj; the Indian team captain gets more support from others! This has been the story for long anyways, Mithali is the one who always came to rescue in the past and is still now as far as batting is concerned!

 

 

England has been in top form, victorious in their previous seven ODIs, a winning streak back to last July. India, on the other hand has struggled in recent series, winning only two of their past 10 ODIs, and going down 3-0 in their last series, against Australia in March. But this time around England Women completed their sterling comeback in the five-match ODI series, recording their third straight win against India Women, in Wormsley, to win 3-2. Chasing 153 in the final ODI against England was a rather comfortable 124 for 4 after 36 over’s when the rain came down to end the match, and as per Duckworth-Lewis calculations they had won by 29 runs and loosing the evenly fought series by 3-2.

 

England chose to bowl, and had India in trouble straightaway at 2 for 3. Harmanpreet Kaur made sure India got into triple digits with a hard-fought 40, before lower order cameos got them to 152 for 8. The most damage was inflicted by England’s opening bowlers, Georgia Elwiss and Katherine Brunt, who took five wickets between them while conceding only 36 runs in their 20. Later Elwiss, who claimed six wickets in the series, was named Player of the Series.

India struck an early blow in the chase, Jhulan Goswami removing captain Charlotte Edwards; the double-digit cameos that followed from the rest of the top order were enough to give England the game. The most effective of the lot came from Sarah Taylor, who knocked off 21 at more than a run a ball. Lydia Greenway top scored with an unbeaten 37.

Mithali Raj and her team India need confidence. It is true that, they have not been doing well of late. However,   India has a promising and young team and should do well if given the time to settle down and confidence to perform. Mithali Raj has been a proven performer and should instill confidence into the team. With her experience and knowledge of the game she should be able to get the best out of her girls. To do well she has to put the past behind them and should be looking to the future. "With the World Cup and Asia Cup coming up” soon, I am sure the Indian Women team should remain to be positive and confident”.