INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
NEW DELHI: Smriti Mandhanas half-century and Richa Ghoshs quick-fire 47 not out entered vain as India suffered their very first defeat of
the ICC Womens T20 World Cup, losing to England by 11 perform at St Georges Park in Gqeberha on Saturday.Chasing a 152-run target, Mandhana
(52 off 41 balls) and Ghosh (47 * off 34) added an important 43 runs for the fourth wicket to keep India in the hunt
Ghosh even scored 19 runs in the last over, bowled by Katherine Sciver Brunt, striking a 4 and a six, but failed to take India house
As it happened: India vs EnglandIndia ended up at 140 for 5 in their 20 overs, 11 runs except the target
The defeat left India stranded at second location in the Group B standings with four points, listed below England, who registered their
third win in a row in the competition to combine the leading spot with 6 points.Riding on Nat Sciver Brunts 50, off 42 balls, and Amy Jones
40 (27 balls), England published a competitive 151 for 7 after India sent them in to bat first
A career-best five-wicket performance by Indian opening bowler Renuka Thakur was insufficient to stop England.Thakur took wickets in each of
her three overs in the powerplay and declared two more in the final over of the innings to finish with 5 for 15 in seamer-friendly
conditions.But Nat Sciver-Brunt and Jones scored freely during the majority of the remainder of the innings.Mandhana offered India a strong
start when she hit four boundaries off Katherine Sciver-Brunt in the third over of the Indian innings
However India had a hard time to maintain the required run rate against steady English bowling.Four wickets was up to capture off attempted
success and there was a run-out as India tried to lift the tempo.Teenager Ghosh struck strongly towards completion, however it was
inadequate to change the outcome.England, who play Pakistan in their last group match in Cape Town on Tuesday, are virtually certain to
India are likewise well-placed to reach the last four as they satisfy Ireland in Gqeberha on Monday.Overcast conditions were helpful for
joint bowling on a fresh pitch after early morning rain.Thakur made the ball swing dramatically into the right-handed batters as England
slumped to 29 for three prior to Nat Sciver-Brunt led the healing.(With inputs from AFP)
