In the latest cricket news, fifties from Nat Sciver and Player of the Match Tammy Beaumont powered England Women to a dominating eight-wicket victory against India Women in the ODI series opener at Bristol on Sunday.
Mithali Raj's 72 guided India Women to 201/8 in 50 overs. However, English batters Tammy Beaumont's 87 and Natalie Sciver's 74 powered the hosts to a 1-0 lead in the three game series.
The duo amassed 117 for the third wicket as opener Tammy smashed 12 fours and a six, while Natalie hammered 10 fours and one six as the visitors struggled to take wickets after an early breakthrough within the first five overs.
England had won the toss and asked India to bat first. However, India were off to a shaky start losing the wickets of openers Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana early and being reduced to 27 for two in the 10th over.
Mithali notched up a third wicket 56-run stand with Punam Raut (32 off 61 balls) followed by a 65-run stand with Deepti Sharma (30 off 46 balls) for the fifth wicket.
England's bowlers had put on an impressive show to restrict India on 201-8 in the first innings, Fast bowlers Katherine Brunt and Anya Shrubsole took two wickets apiece where as left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone was the leading wicket taker for England, claiming three wickets for 40 runs.
The result puts them 4-2 up in the multi-format series, after the One off Test was drawn.
The second ODI will be held at Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton, on June 30, Wednesday.
