Internet Desk: So close yet so far for Mithali Raj & Co. Hosts England edge out India by 9 runs to win their fourth ICC Women’s World Cup title today. The Women in Blue reached the final for the second time in the World Cup couple of days back after they outplayed defending champions Australia in the semifinal.
The hosts were on the verge of a big defeat with India, chasing an easy total of 229 to win, cruising along at 190 for three.
But a late collapse from by the visitors, sparked by six wickets in 19 balls from Anya Shrubsole, saw England snatch a dramatic victory.
Jhulan Goswami, the leading One-Day International wicket-taker, at 34 likely playing her last World Cup, produced one of her best spells to take 3 for 23. A half-century from Natalie Sciver and a late rally, though, took England to 228 for 7 after it had chosen to bat. It was the second-highest total posted in a women’s final. Despite half-centuries from Poonam Raut and Harmanpreet Kaur, a match-changing spell at the death from the experienced Anya Shrubsole, who finished with 6 for 46, decided the game in England’s favour.
Smriti Mandhana, who began the tournament with so much promise but then fell away, was walking back for a duck in the second over. Shrubsole, getting it to swing away from the left-hander, went past her defence to rattle the stumps.
Mithali Raj looked in great touch, placing the ball beautifully and building a steady partnership with Raut – which included a long-on six from the younger batter – when she was run out. A throw from Sciver from inside the circle to Sarah Taylor, standing right over the stumps, caught Raj well out.
Raut and Harmanpreet, who was playing with strapping and looking in discomfort all day, steadied some Indian nerves. The England bowlers invited Harmanpreet, fresh from her 171 not out, to hit out, but she was careful with her shot selection. She bossed the leg side, including for two big sixes, one over her favourite mid-wicket area and the other slog swept along square.