Kent’s Edwards leads England to t20 series win

By Sam Dixon

An England women“s side, including Kent“s Charlotte Edwards (pictured), Lydia Greenway and Tammy Beaumont, kept their cool to secure victory by five wickets in the decisive third Twenty20 international match against India in Mumbai today. The win also handed England a 2-1 series victory.

India batted first and continued the series trend, posting a modest 125 for four from their 20 overs. Katherine Brunt struck first when she had Sulakshana Naik caught for one off the fourth ball of the innings. The Indian total was built on a number of starts by their top-order but no-one went on as they only struck ten boundaries in the entire innings. Poonam Raut made 26 before Beaumont stumped her off the bowling of Laura Marsh. The dangerous duo of Mithali Raj and Anjum Chopra both contributed 22, whereas Harmanpreet Kaur top-scored with 30 off 25 balls. Brunt and Danielle Hazell both took one for 18 from their four overs.

The England reply started in disappointing fashion as they were soon reduced to 23 for three. Gouher Sultana accounted for Hazell and Brunt cheaply whereas Edwards was caught for 17 after striking four boundaries in her 11 ball stay. England didn“t panic though and the paring of Laura March and Beth Morgan put the chase back on track as they put on 51 for the fourth wicket before Morgan was stumped for 28. Jenny Gunn continued Morgan“s good work as she made a quickfire 22 before Sultana returned to clean bowl her. However, Marsh was still at the crease and despite England still requiring ten off 12 balls, she, in tandem with Greenway kept calm and saw the tourists reach their victory target with four balls and five wickets remaining. Marsh ended unbeaten on 47 and Greenway was three not out as England ended their tour in style.