England edge India by five runs in thriller to keep women's T20I series alive

LONDON: India’s batting faltered at the death as England held their nerves to pull off a narrow five-run win in a thrilling third women’s T20 International on Friday, keeping the series alive. England managed to triumph despite a spectacular batting collapse and sloppy fielding at The Oval in London. India lead the five-match series 2-1 after winning the first two T20Is in Nottingham and Bristol.

Opting to bat, Sophia Dunkley (75) and Danni Wyatt-Hodge (66) smashed commanding fifties in a 137-run opening stand before England lost nine wickets for just 31 runs in 25 balls to finish on 171/9 in their 20 overs.

In reply, India looked in complete control with Smriti Mandhana (56) and Shafali Verma (47) adding 85 runs for the opening wicket, aided by several reprieves from England’s butterfingered fielders.

However, Lauren Filer (2/30) bowled a fiery spell to dismiss Mandhana in the 16th over and trigger India’s slide. Sophie Ecclestone (1/24), Lauren Bell (1/37) and Issy Wong (1/36) chipped in with a wicket each to restrict India to 166/5 in their 20 overs. Needing six runs off the final ball, skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (23) fell to Bell while attempting a big shot as India fell narrowly short in the run chase.

The fourth T20 International will be played in Manchester on Wednesday. Agencies

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