- Heather Knight’s century anchors England’s innings.
- Smriti Mandhana’s wicket triggers India’s collapse.
- India are set to face New Zealand in a knockout match.
Four-time champions England booked their ticket to the semi-finals of the Women’s World Cup after securing a hard-fought four-point victory over hosts India in Indore on Sunday.
England had posted a competitive score of 288-8 thanks to Heather Knight’s century and kept their composure on the field to defend it, despite their bowling, usually their strong point, being a touch color.
India seemed headed for victory, needing just 62 runs from the last 10 overs with seven wickets in hand.
But Smriti Mandhana’s dismissal turned the tide, as the pressure on the scoreboard seeped in and the points piled up. Soon after, Richa Ghosh and Deepti Sharma left in quick succession, leaving the queue high and dry.
Reckless batting costs India dearly. Mandhana’s fall opened the floodgates as she danced down the track to left-arm spinner Linsey Smith, but failed to get clear for long.
Then, after reaching her half-century, Deepti Sharma perished trying to bowl Sophie Ecclestone, a difficult sweep that found midwicket to perfection. From there, the writing was on the wall.
“We probably needed 300, but we did well to come back and I’m very happy. We haven’t contributed much in the last two games, so it feels good to get to a match-winning hundred,” said Knight, whose elegant 109 from 91 balls, laced with 15 fours and a six, were the backbone of England’s innings.
England’s opening overs gave them a good start with 73 runs for the first wicket before Knight joined captain Nat Sciver-Brunt in a 113-run stand that kept the scoreboard rolling.
At one point, England looked set to go past 300, but Knight’s attempt at a second run sparked a slowdown, as India tightened the screw and conceded just 74 runs in the last 10 overs. Deepti Sharma was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with four wickets.
It was India’s third consecutive defeat, leaving their next clash against New Zealand virtually a knockout event. With both teams locked at four points, it’s a matter of make or die to stay in the race for the final semi-final spot, with Australia, England and South Africa already safely through.
England, meanwhile, were clinical, reaching the semi-finals with two games in hand. They sit second in the standings with nine points, tied with reigning champions Australia, separated only by a whisker in Net Run Rate.
“I don’t know how we lost that match. We had it in the bag. We worked so hard and when the last five overs slip away from you, it’s heartbreaking. This is the third match in a row that we have lost after coming so close,” lamented Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur.
