MUMBAI: World T20 champs England all
but came a cropper against India in the first tie of the three-match T20 series
at the MCA's Bandra Kurla ground on Thursday.
Chasing a
none-too-challenging total of 125, England's batters stuttered against spinners
Gouhar Sultana (left-arm), Priyanka Roy (leg break), Sonia Dabir (off spin
3-23) and were 80/6. The 200-odd schoolgirls who had come from far-off places
like Nalla Sopara and Dahanu were rooting for an India win.
However,
skipper Jhulan Goswami's comeback over, the 18th, was a disaster as 15 runs were
plundered by Danielle Hazell (14) and Jennifer Gunn (34). The target was
whittled from 27 from three overs to 12 from two. Priyanka gave just six in the
19th and it was six off six in the last over of Gouhar. The first ball was a
long hop but Hazell tapped and ran and was thrown out by skipper Goswami from
mid-off. Next ball Gunn could have been run out but Roy's throw from the deep
was a flighted one and worse, 'keeper Naik's throw missed the stumps. Two
precious runs gone. Of the third ball Gunn lobbed a catch to Goswami and it was
122/8 and four needed off three.
Fourth ball Katherine Brunt missed
being run out as Gouhar bowled a faster one. England were lucky that No 9 Nicola
Shaw didn't show any signs of nerves. She hit to long off for two. Now just one
was needed off the last. Shaw tapped to cover and ran. The throw was wide and
worse Gouhar, who collected, missed the stumps and the overthrow brought
England victory against the run of play.
Opener Sulakshana Naik (21),
Mitali Raj (30) and Priyanka Roy (21) had given India a fighting
total.
"My bad over at the death counted against us," said skipper
Goswami who added, "it is all apart of the game and we hope to turn the tables
in the next two games."
England skipper Charlotte Edwards, who led
the way with 28, said, "We have come with some newcomers they are getting
valuable experience ahead of the World
Cup."
Brief scores:
India
125/6 in 20 overs (Sulakshana Naik 21, Mitali Raj 30, Priyanka Roy 21) lost to
England 126/8 (Charlotte Edwards 28, Jennifer Gunn 34, Sonia Dabir 3/23).
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