India Women vs England Women: Mithali Raj's unbeaten 74 leads hosts to series win

Nagpur: Skipper Mithali Raj led from the front with an unbeaten 74 as India Women outclassed England by eight wickets in the third and final One Day International and clinched the series 2-1. After India spinners restricted England to a modest 201/9, opener Smriti Mandhana (53 retired-hurt), Mithali and Deepti Sharma (54 not-out) ensured that the hosts crossed the line with 4.4 overs to spare. [caption id=“attachment_3852255” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File image of India captain Mithali Raj. Reuters[/caption] India had won the first match by one wicket while England had levelled the series after they defeated the hosts by eight wickets in the second game. But India eves on 12 April dished out a clinical performance with both the bat and ball. For England, wicket-keeper Amy Jones (94) top scored but she failed to find partners. Indian spinners wreaked havoc on English batters, as they shared six wickets, while veteran pacer Jhulan Goswami (2/39) too chipped in. Off-spinner Deepti Sharma (2/35), left-arm orthodox bowler Rajeshwari Gayakwad (2/32) and leg spinner Poonam Yadav (2/47) were among the wickets. Skipper Heather Knight chipped in with 36 runs, but it was Jones, with seven fours and a six in her knock, who ensured that England went beyond the 200-run mark. While chasing, Mandhana gave a brisk start and complemented Raj. After the left-handed Mandhana was retired hurt, Deepti Sharma joined the captain and the two took India home. But Mithali was the cynosure of eyes at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium as she punished English bowlers, hitting nine boundaries. After losing the T20 tri-series, which also involved Australia apart from England, and the ODI series to the Southern Stars, India finally found the winning momentum against England. Brief Scores: England Women 201/9 in 50 overs (Amy Jones 94, Heather Knight 36, Rajeshwari Gaikwad 2/32) lost to India Women 202/2 in 45.2 overs (Mithali Raj 74 not out, Deepti Sharma 54 not out, Anya Shrubsole 2/37) by eight wickets.