The England women’s cricket team narrowly defeated India by five runs in a thrilling third T20I held at The Oval, ensuring the series remains competitive at 2-1 in favor of India. This match was particularly notable not only for the close scoreline but also for the remarkable performance by England’s Sophia Dunkley, who scored 75 runs off 53 balls, contributing significantly to the team’s total of 171 runs. Dunkley’s performance earned her the player-of-the-match honor.
However, the match also saw England experience a dramatic collapse, losing nine wickets in just 25 deliveries and contributing only 31 runs during that period. This phenomenon set a new record for the fewest balls taken to lose nine wickets in international cricket, highlighting a rare and alarming facet of the game.
Indian all-rounder Deepti Sharma played a pivotal role in triggering this collapse, taking 3 wickets for 27 runs in her four overs. Her achievement of reaching 300 international wickets places her among an elite group of female cricketers, including the likes of Jhulan Goswami and Ellyse Perry, who have also surpassed this milestone.
India’s chase of 171 runs fell slightly short as they ended their innings at 166 runs, marking a setback for the team on their tour of England. This match followed a historic event earlier this year in the Women’s T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier, where the UAE team made headlines by retiring all 10 batters after posting an impressive 192/0 against Qatar. The total number of ducks recorded in that match was 15, setting a record for the most in a women’s T20I encounter.
As the series continues, the next match is set to take place at Old Trafford in Manchester on July 9, offering both teams a chance to showcase their skills and potentially shift the momentum of the series. This tension-filled scenario propels excitement for viewers and allows both teams to strategize further, with hopes high for a captivating fourth match.