England Women secured a narrow five-run win over India Women in their ICC Women’s T20 World Cup warm-up match at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff. After India chose to field first, England posted 171/6 before bowling India out for 166 with one ball remaining.
Jones and Sciver-Brunt Build England’s Total
England’s innings was shaped by half-centuries from Amy Jones and Nat Sciver-Brunt. Jones made 64 from 45 balls before being bowled by Shafali Verma, while Sciver-Brunt scored 57 off 45 deliveries before falling to Shreyanka Patil.
Dani Gibson provided late momentum with an unbeaten 30 from just 12 balls, helping England reach a competitive total.
India struck at regular intervals after the opening stages. Danni Wyatt-Hodge was dismissed with the score on 27, while Jones’ departure at 97/2 brought India back into the contest. Alice Capsey, Freya Kemp, Sciver-Brunt and Charlie Dean also fell as India kept taking wickets through the middle and death overs.
Shreyanka Patil was India’s standout bowler with 2/29 from four overs. Shafali Verma also impressed with 1/18 in two overs, while Renuka Singh, Radha Yadav and N Sree Charani picked up one wicket each. Kranti Gaud went wicketless but delivered the most economical spell, conceding 17 runs in three overs.
India Chase Falters Despite Richa’s Counterattack
India’s chase began poorly when Smriti Mandhana fell for 1 off 6 balls. Shafali Verma briefly attacked with 13 from 6 deliveries, but she was bowled by Issy Wong.
Yastika Bhatia made 15 and captain Harmanpreet Kaur added 17, but both failed to convert their starts. Bharti Fulmali contributed 18 before Richa Ghosh took charge of the innings.
Richa produced a brilliant 68 from 36 balls, hitting nine fours and two sixes to keep India in contention. Her aggressive knock brought the chase back to life, but she was stumped by Alice Capsey off Linsey Smith at a crucial stage.
Radha Yadav added a quick 16 from 9 balls, but India’s lower order could not finish the chase. Shreyanka Patil and Kalpana Goud fell quickly to Charlie Dean, while Renuka Singh was dismissed for a duck near the end. India were eventually bowled out for 166.
England Bowlers Hold Their Nerve
Linsey Smith led England’s bowling effort with 3/42 from 3.5 overs, including the key wicket of Richa Ghosh. Charlie Dean bowled with excellent control, taking 2/16 from three overs, while Tilly Corteen-Coleman also impressed with 2/22 from four overs.
Dani Gibson chipped in with 2/17, and Issy Wong took one wicket despite conceding 42 runs. Lauren Filer went wicketless for 27 runs in three overs.
England’s discipline in the middle overs and composure at the death proved decisive. India, despite Richa’s outstanding innings, were hurt by the lack of substantial partnerships and a late collapse that left them five runs short.
England will now shift their focus to the opening round of the main tournament and making a strong start against Sri Lanka on June 12 at Edgbaston, while India will face Pakistan on June 14.
