INDW vs ENGW 1st T20I: Nat Sciver-Brunt, Danni Wyatt and Sophie Eccelstone power England to 38-run win
Nat Sciver-Brunt, Danni Wyatt and Sophie Eccelstone were the stars of the show as England defeated India by 38 runs to win the first T20I in Mumbai on December 6.
The English side, after being put into bat by India’s captain Harmanpreet Kaur, managed to post a formidable total of 197 runs for the loss of six wickets.
The innings was particularly notable for the explosive batting display from Danielle Wyatt and Nat Sciver-Brunt. Despite losing two early wickets in the very first over bowled by Renuka Thakur Singh, who dismissed Sophia Dunkley and Alice Capsey cheaply, England did not let the momentum slip away. Wyatt and Sciver-Brunt took control of the game and forged a remarkable 138-run partnership that laid the foundation for England’s substantial total.
Danielle Wyatt played an aggressive knock, scoring 75 runs off just 47 balls, while Nat Sciver-Brunt contributed a similarly impressive 77 runs from 53 deliveries. Their partnership was a blend of power-hitting and smart cricket, which kept the Indian fielders on their toes. Although India had opportunities to break the partnership, they were unable to capitalize due to some sloppy fielding.
Wyatt’s innings came to an end when debutant Saika Ishaque claimed her wicket in the 15th over with England’s score at 140 for three. Sciver-Brunt continued her assault until she was eventually dismissed by Renuka, who finished with three wickets in her four-over spell. Shreyanka Patil also made an impact with the ball for India, picking up two wickets.
Some late pyrotechnics from Freya Kemp ensured that England posted the challenging total.
India looked unconvincing from the get-go in their chase, despite getting 20 in the first two overs. Smriti Mandhana looked to go for a big shot and was cleaned by Sciver-Brunt. Kemp also joined in as she picked the wicket of Jemimah Rodrigues with the first ball of her spell.
Harmapreet Kaur and Shafali Verma started to build on a dangerous looking partnership before Eccelstone came into the fray to dismiss the Indian captain. Richa Ghosh dazzled with a few boundaries but failed to accelerate with the English bowlers keeping a stronghold on proceedings.
Ghosh fell to Sarah Glenn and the focus was clearly on Shafali at that point. She would get to her fifty before Eccelstone got the key wicket to swing the game well and truly in England’s favour. The left-arm spinner ended the day with figures of three for 15 as she also got the wicket of Kanika.
The Indian innings came to close with a score of 159 for six in their 20 overs as England wrapped up the game.
The second T20I will be played on December 9.