England ride on Sciver-Brunt's all-round heroics to bag series triumph
Cricket
England Women beat Pakistan Women by a thumping margin of 178 runs in the third ODI.
CHELMSFORD (Web Desk) - England Women beat Pakistan Women by a thumping margin of 178 runs in the third ODI to take the series 2-0 at Chelmsford on Wednesday. Nat Sciver-Brunt’s all-round heroics and Sophie Ecclestone’s flawless left-arm spin kept Pakistan out of the game throughout the day.
Chasing a target of 303 runs, Pakistan crumbled to 124 all out in 29.1 overs. No Pakistan batter except Muneeba Ali (47, 55b, 7x4s) and Aliya Riaz (36, 41b, 6x4s) managed to challenge England’s bowling line-up. Lauren Bell jolted Pakistan by removing both the opening batters. Kate Cross took out Ayesha Zafar (13, 14b, 3x4s) when she looked threatening on the crease.
With Muneeba well set, Najiha Alivi (6, 19b) tried to heave Sciver-Brunt over mid-wicket but missed the ball, only to see her stumps shattered. From 74-4, Pakistan lost the next five wickets for a mere fifty runs. Skipper Nida Dar did not walk out to bat due to a hamstring injury.
Ecclestone, who became the fastest bowler to hundred ODI wickets in women’s cricket, dismissed three batters in 4.1 overs. Sciver-Brunt and Bell picked up two wickets each while Cross and Charlie Dean bagged one wicket apiece.
Earlier, Sciver-Brunt’s (124 not out, 117b, 14x4s, 2x6s) magnificent unbeaten century headlined England’s innings. The pace duo of Fatima Sana and Diana Baig removed English opening batters Tammy Beaumont (11, 22b, 1x4) and Maia Bouchier (34, 33b, 6x4s) respectively.
Sciver-Brunt walked into bat with England 56-2 which soon became 70-3. She struck 14 fours and two sixes during her breezy knock. Sciver-Brunt shared vital partnerships with Danni Wyatt (fourth wicket – 79), Amy Jones (fifth wicket – 66) and Alice Capsey (sixth wicket – unbeaten 87).
Nida Dar struck to end Danni Wyatt’s 44-run outing which included three fours and one six. Amy Jones contributed a run-a-ball 27 before Alice Capsey’s unbeaten 39 with the help of four boundaries, propelled England to 302-5.
Umm-e-Hani bagged two wickets while Nida, Fatima and Diana dismissed one batter each.
Scores in brief:
England Women 302-5, 50 overs: (Nat Sciver-Brunt 124 not out, Danni Wyatt 44, Alice Capsey 39 not out; Umm-e-Hani 2-47)
Pakistan Women 124 all out, 29.1 overs: (Muneeba Ali 47, Aliya Riaz 36; Sophie Ecclestone 3-15, Nat Sciver-Brunt 2-11, Lauren Bell 2-26)
