Internet Desk: Skipper of Indian Women’s cricket team Mithali Raj today created a new world record by hitting seven consecutive half-century against hosts England in the Women’s World Cup opening encounter on Saturday.
The top three bats-women from India Mandhana, Punam Raut and Mithali Raj all scored half-centuries as India posted a challenging target of 282 against England.
It was Mithali’s seventh consecutive half-century and she surpassed the likes of Lindsay Reeler (Australia), Ellyse Perry (Australia) and Charlotte Edwards (England), all of whom scored six back-to-back fifties each in cricket earlier.
England won the toss and sent the visitors to bat first. The openers Punam Raut (86) and Smriti Mandhana (90) started the innings brilliantly as they shared a 144-run stand for the first wicket in 27 overs. After Mandhana’s departure skipper Mithali Raj (71) joined the party with Punam Raut. They put up a partnership of 78 runs in 16 overs. Raut was dismissed on well made 86.
These are Mitali’s scores in her last seven ODIs, including this match against England — 71 vs England, 62* vs South Africa, 54 vs South Africa, 51* vs South Africa, 73* vs Bangladesh, 64 vs South Africa and 70* vs Sri Lanka.
Also, this is Mithali’s 47 ODI half-century, which is also the highest in women’s cricket till now. Meanwhile, the India skipper is also just 148 runs away from becoming the first women’s cricketer ever to slam 6000 ODI runs.