Shrubsole stars as England edge India in Women’s World Cup final

By our correspondents

July 24, 2017

LONDON: Anya Shrubsole bowled England to a dramatic nine-run win over India in the Women’s World Cup final at Lord’s on Sunday.

India, set 229 to win, were well on course for victory at 191 for three in front of a full hose of more than 26,000.But the dismissal of opener Punam Raut, who made a fine 86, lbw to Shrubsole, sparked a stunning collapse.

Shrubsole took five wickets for 11 runs in 19 deliveries as India, bidding for their first World Cup title, slumped to 219 all out.Pace bowler Shrubsole finished with six for 46 in 9.4 overs as England won a fourth World Cup title and third on home soil.

Opener Smriti Mandhana was bowled for a duck by Shrubsole. But fellow opener Raut hit Shrubsole back over her head for six.India captain Mithali Raj struck several fine boundaries, but effectively ran herself out for just 17.

Her exit brought in the big-hitting Harmanpreet Kaur, whose stunning 171 not out had set up India’s semi-final win over reigning champions Australia.

Kaur lofted and swept left-arm spinner Alex Hartley for two huge sixes.

Raut went to fifty in 78 balls and Kaur got there in 80 balls.But the duo were separated when Kaur swept Harley straight to Tammy Beaumont at deep backward square to end a stand of 95.

Sarah Taylor then missed a chance to stump Raut, on 65 off spinner Laura Marsh.Another chance went begging when Veda Krishnamurthy (10) was dropped by England captain Heather Knight at extra cover off pace bowler Jenny Gunn.

India’s target was now under a run a ball and Veda Krishnamurthy raised a fifty stand with Raut off just 54 balls when she cut Shrubsole over point and drove her over mid-off for two fours in as many balls.

Raut’s fine innings ended when she was lbw to Shrubsole, having faced 115 balls including four fours and a six.Krishnamurthy made a fine 35 before she holed out off Shrubsole. Goswami was yorked by Shrubsole for a duck.

Shika Pandey was run out. Shrusbole, after Jenny Gunn had dropped a simple catch, ended the match by bowling Rajeshwari Gayakwad for a duck as England won yet another close game this World Cup.

Earlier, pace bowler Goswami took three for 23 in 10 overs as India held England to 228 for seven.

Goswami’s haul included the dismissals of star batsman Taylor (45) and top-scorer Nat Sciver (51).

England started steadily after Knight won the toss. But from 47 for none, they lost three wickets in quick succession to be 63 for three, with leg-spinner Poonam Yadav (two for 36) having Knight lbw for just one on the sweep.

Taylor and Sciver put on 83 before Goswami struck in her second spell. Taylor was caught down the legside by wicket-keeper Sushma Verma. And 146 for four became 146 for five when Fran Wilson was lbw for a golden duck next ball. But England’s tail, with Katherine Brunt making 34, took them past 200 and those runs proved vital in the end. —AFP

England Women won toss

England Women

L Winfield b Gayakwad 24

T T Beaumont c Goswami b P Yadav 23

†S J Taylor c Verma b Goswami 45

*H C Knight lbw b P Yadav 1

N R Sciver lbw b Goswami 51

F C Wilson lbw b Goswami 0

K H Brunt run out 34

J L Gunn not out 25

L A Marsh not out 14

A Shrubsole 0