Harmanpreet, bowlers star as India women beat England by 5 wickets

Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur struck an unbeaten 42 following a fine bowling performance to set up India's thrilling five-wicket win over England in first match of women's triangular T20 series here on Friday. Indian spinners -- Rajeshwari Gayakw (2/19), Deepti Sharma (2/30)and left armer Rha Yav (1/33) -- restricted England to 147 for seven in stipulated 20 overs, while right-arm medium pacer Shikha Pandey (2/33) accounted for two at Manuka Oval. Harmanpreet took run chase deep after Indian top order, including 15-year-old Shafali Verma (30), Smriti Mandhana(15) and Jemimah Rodrigues (26) --  squandered good starts.

Veda Krishnamurthy (7) and Taniya Bhatia (11) also failed to stay on crease as England bowlers struck at regular intervals. With six needed off last over, Harmanpreet, whose innings was studded with five boundaries until n, hit a towering six to take India to 150 for five and end match in style with three balls to spare. Earlier, put in to bat, England suffered a top order batting collapse as openers Amy Jones (1) and Danni Wyatt (4) were dismissed cheaply.

Natalie Sciver (20) and Fran Wilson (7) soon followed, leaving England reeling at 59 for four in 10 overs. Skipper Hear Knight n took charge, hitting a brisk 44-ball 67. Her innings was laced with eight boundaries and two sixes. Wicketkeeper Tammy Beaumont supported her captain with a 27-ball 37. duo helped England post a fighting total.

Brief Scores

England women: 147 for 7 in 20 overs (Hear Knight 67, Tammy Beaumont 37; Rajeshwari Gayakw 2/19) lost by five wickets to India Women: 150 for 5 in 19.3 overs (Harmapreet Kaur 42 not out, Shafali Verma 30; Karine Brunt 2/33)