England Secures Semifinal Berth, edges Past India โinโฃ thrilling World Cup Clash
Christchurch, New Zealand โ – England defeated India by four runs in a nail-biting contest atโ the Women’s Cricket world Cup,โ securing their place in the โtournament semifinals. A dramatic late-order collapse from Indiaโ saw them fall short of their โคtarget despite a strong batting performance โฃled byโฃ Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti โคmandhana.
The victory ensures England advances to theโ final stagesโ ofโค theโ competition, โฃwhile India’s hopes now rest on othreโ results to determineโข their fate. This matchโ was pivotal for both teams, with a semifinal spot on the line, and the closely fought encounter lived up to the high stakes.England’s innings was anchored by a brilliant century from captain Heather Knight, while India’s chase faltered in the final overs despite promising contributions from โtheir key batters.
England posted a total of 293/8 after winning the toss and electing to bat. Openers Tammy Beaumont (22) and amy Jones (56 off 68 balls) providedโข a solid start, addingโ 73 runs. Knight then took control, scoring her โthird ODI hundred – 100 off 86 balls,โ including 14 fours and a six – and adding 113 runs with Sciver-Brunt (38 off 49). However, England lost momentum โขtowards the end, losing five wickets for 31 runs in the final 5.1 overs. โDeepti Sharma was the pick of the Indian bowlers, claiming 4-51 in 10 overs.
In reply, โIndia’s chase beganโข cautiously, reaching 42-2 in โ10 overs. Kaur and Mandhana then forged a crucialโ 125-run partnership offโฃ 122 balls for the third wicket, puttingโ the hosts in a โฃstrong position. Kaur reached her half-century off 54 balls, while Mandhanaโข anchored the innings, reaching her โsecond consecutive 50 offโ 60 balls.
Sciver-Brunt broke the partnership, dismissing Kaur, but India remained favorites. Deepti Sharma contributed a quickfire 50 off 57 balls, adding 67 runs with Mandhana. However, the gameโ swungโ dramatically when Mandhana was caught at the boundary attempting aโ big shot against Smith in the โข42nd over. India then slipped from 234-3 to 262-6 in 33 deliveries, with Sharma โalso โคfalling to Sophie Ecclestone (1-58) in theโค 47th over.
Despite efforts from Amanjot Kaur (18 not out) and Sneh Rana (10 not out), England held onโ to win by four runs.
“I got โคmyself in andโ put down the accelerator. It felt like we needed 300 on that pitch but it was frustrating to not get there ” saeid Knight, whoโข was named player of the match. “I was desperate to put in a statement performance for โคmy โ300th and I am pleased to do that.”
