In a thrilling conclusion to their T20 series against India, England achieved a hard-fought victory, winning by five wickets in a nail-biting finish at Edgbaston.
Chasing a target of 168, England entered the final over needing six runs with seven wickets in hand. However, a dramatic collapse saw them lose stand-in captain Tammy Beaumont and Amy Jones, leaving the team needing just one run from the last ball. Fortunately, Sophie Ecclestone and Paige Scholfield managed to scamper for a single, securing the win despite a near-run out incident.
The match marked England’s highest successful chase in a home T20, buoyed by a remarkable performance from Danni Wyatt-Hodge, who scored 56 off 36 balls during her 300th international appearance. Wyatt-Hodge’s contribution was pivotal, especially as she formed a solid opening partnership of 101 with Sophia Dunkley.
With the pressure mounting, Beaumont’s innings of 30 appeared to be setting England up for a comfortable victory, but she was dismissed by the first ball of the final over, and a stunning catch from Radha Yadav sent Jones back to the pavilion, raising tense moments among the English players and fans alike.
Earlier in the match, Indian opener Shafali Verma put forth a brilliant effort, scoring 75 runs off just 41 deliveries, including 13 fours and a six. However, the lack of support from other batters hampered India’s total, with Richa Ghosh being the next highest scorer with 24 runs. England’s bowlers, led by Charlie Dean with figures of 3-23, effectively dismantled India’s batting lineup throughout the middle overs.
Looking ahead, the two teams will transition to the one-day international format, with their series beginning at Southampton on July 16. This series marks an important opportunity for England to finalize their team before the World Cup later this September.
This exhilarating finish not only reflects the intensity of international women’s cricket but also highlights the growing competitiveness in the sport, setting an exciting stage for the upcoming matches.