MillenniumPost
Big Story

WC heartbreak: Nerves get better of Indian eves

London: Indian eves on Sunday snatched defeat from the jaws of victory as hosts England won the ICC Women's World Cup final by 9 runs, here on Sunday.
It was a case of so near yet so far for the Indian team who would be devastated having come within a sniffing distance of a historic triumph.
It was after opener Poonam Raut (86, 115 balls) anchored the innings while Harmanpreet Kaur hit a couple of sixes in her innings of 51.
Earlier, Natalie Sciver's 51 and Sarah Taylor's 45 laid the foundation for England's decent total of 228 for 7.
Chasing 229 to win their maiden ICC Women's World Cup, India were bowled out for 219 in 48.4 overs. It was the fourth title for England, while the second defeat for India in the summit clash. India was cruising in their chase when Punam Raut and Veda Krishnamurthy were in the middle as the duo added 53 runs for the fourth wicket and take them to 191/3 in 42.4 overs. But the fall of Raut on 86 in the 43rd over triggered a dramatic middle-order collapse as India lost their last seven wickets for just 38 runs and in less than six overs. Anya Shrubsole was the star of the England bowling as she finished with amazing figures of 6 for 46 in 9.4 overs. For India, Harmanpreet Kaur contributed with a half-century and also added 95 runs for the third wicket with Raut to set the stage for a famous but it turned out to be in vain.
Don't see myself playing another World Cup, says Mithali Raj
England lifted the Women's World Cup in Lord's after the Indian eves made the match difficult for themselves after a mid order batting collapse.
It was an anti-climactic result for India since they were well on course for a memorable triumph, sitting pretty at 191 for three in 42.5 before the batting collapse saw them bowled out for 219 in 48.4 overs.
India captain Mithali Raj said: "It wasn't easy for England but credit to them. They kept their nerve. There was a time when the match was in the balance. We panicked and they came out victorious. I would like to tell the girls I am very proud of them. They didn't make any match look easy for the opposition. I don't see myself playing another World Cup."
"Thank you for the crowd for turning up. It is a huge boost to play in front of a packed stadium. These girls are inexperienced of this platform, playing in their first final. The youngsters tried their best and I am sure this will help them in the future. I will definitely play for a few more years but I don't see myself playing the next World Cup." Tributes poured in from Twitter congratulating the performance of the Indian eves.
Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee lauded the Indian women's cricket team for its efforts in the World Cup final against England, saying the girls in blue made the country proud.
"Well done to the Indian women's cricket team. You tried hard and made us proud," Banerjee tweeted moments after Mithali Raj and company agonisingly finished second best.
Yuvraj Singh tweeted: "Tough luck @BCCIWomen what a nail biting finish to the World Cup ! So proud of you all ,to come so far in the tournament .congrats England"
Shikhar Dhawan tweeted: "Congratulations to the England Women's cricket team. Well played @BCCIWomen. The entire country is proud of you for playing great cricket!"
VVS Laxman also congratulated the ladies tweeting: "To @M_Raj03 & every member of the @BCCIWomen team,you may have lost the finals but you won the hearts of the entire country. Proud of u all"
England bowler Anya Shrubsole with the figure of 6/46 was adjudged the player of the match. These figures are the very definition of a match winning performance. The absolute guts on show from those players out in the middle.
A clearly emotional Shrubsole said: "I am lost for words. One of the great things about this team is we never give up. It is a fitting final of what was a brilliant World Cup.
"There was a huge amount of pressure. We never let the run rate get away and we knew if we got a couple then we would be in the game. It is a dream. I never thought it would come true. To be back here as a World Cup winner is amazing."
England captain Heather Knight said: "What a game. I'm so proud of those girls. They've really fought hard and that's all I've asked of them. Anya Shrubsole, to win us a game, under huge pressure - it's amazing. India batted brilliantly, they made it really hard for us. We knew if we took it deep, we had the bowling, and if we could hold our nerves. I thought about taking Anya off and I'm really glad I kept her on!
Brief scores:
England: 228/7 (Natalie
Sciver 51, Sarah Taylor 45; Jhulan Goswami 3/23) vs
India: 219 (Punam Raut 86, Harmanpreet Kaur 51; Anya Shrubsole 6/46). Agencies
Next Story
Share it