Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Freya Kemp produced a superb all-round display as England defeated India by 26 runs in the second Women’s T20I in Bristol on Saturday to level the three-match series 1-1.
Kemp smashed an unbeaten 39 off just 13 balls to lift England to 168/5 before returning figures of 2/15, including the prized wickets of Smriti Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues, as India were restricted to 142/9 in their chase.
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England vs India, 2nd women’s T20I: HIGHLIGHTS
The series-deciding third T20I will be played in Taunton on Tuesday.
For much of the evening, India appeared to have England under control. Young left-arm spinner Shree Charani continued her impressive start to international cricket, finishing with 3/25 and helping restrict the hosts through the middle overs.
But Kemp’s late assault changed the complexion of the innings. She struck two sixes and two fours in a 24-run final over from Arundhati Reddy as England collected 39 runs from the last two overs to post what proved to be a match-winning total.
India made a positive start to the chase through Shafali Verma and Mandhana. Shafali scored 22 off 14 balls while Mandhana made 32 from 25 deliveries as the visitors reached 78/2 after 10 overs and remained firmly in the hunt.
England’s spinners then turned the tide. Charlie Dean and Sophie Ecclestone tightened the scoring rate, forcing India to take risks against disciplined bowling.
Yastika Bhatia, dropped on 29 by Dean off her own bowling, struggled to find boundaries and was eventually retired out after scoring 33 from 36 balls with the asking rate climbing rapidly.
Dean played a key role in England’s comeback, applying pressure through the middle overs and finishing with crucial wickets. Ecclestone was equally effective in keeping the Indian batters quiet.
India captain Harmanpreet Kaur tried to revive the chase with a brisk 28 off 22 balls, including a six off Lauren Bell. During her innings, Harmanpreet became only the third batter in Women’s T20Is to complete 4,000 runs, joining Suzie Bates and Mandhana.
However, England continued to strike at crucial moments. Kemp removed Rodrigues shortly after her arrival, while Dean dismissed Richa Ghosh and Harmanpreet in the space of four deliveries to leave India reeling.
Harmanpreet’s dismissal proved decisive as she edged Dean behind while attempting to force the pace. With the required rate soaring and wickets falling regularly, India were unable to recover.
Earlier, England endured a slow start and managed only 35/1 in the powerplay after Nandini Sharma dismissed Sophia Dunkley for 10.
Danni Wyatt-Hodge and Amy Jones added 36 runs to steady the innings, but Charani broke the partnership by dismissing Wyatt-Hodge for 29. The spinner struck again to remove Jones for 28 and keep England in check.
Alice Capsey contributed 28 runs before Shreyanka Patil ended her innings, leaving England short of momentum heading into the closing stages.
That changed dramatically once Kemp arrived at the crease. Her explosive unbeaten knock lifted England to a competitive total and ultimately laid the foundation for a victory that kept the series alive heading into the decider.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
