Sweep in sight for England ahead of final India ODI

Overview

England vs India, third ODI
New Road, Worcester
3 July, 11:00 AM local

With disappointing showings in both the ODIs, India have a lot to ponder heading into the final game. Batting first in both matches, the batters failed to get to a fighting total that would bring the bowlers into the game, though they marginally bettered their performance in the second ODI. Skipper Mithali Raj might look to tinker with their batting line-up in the hope that they can gather some steam heading into the T20I series.

England, meanwhile, have the luxury of testing their bench strength on Saturday. Having played both the games with the same XI, captain Heather Knight might consider experimenting with the combination, with an eye on the ICC Women's World Cup 2022 in New Zealand next year.

Remember the last time

Kate Cross and Sophia Dunkley starred in England's five-wicket win over India in the second ODI of the series.

After winning her second toss of the series, Heather Knight once again put India in to bat first. Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana strung together a solid 56-run stand. The rest of the batting failed to build on the foundation laid by the openers with only Mithali Raj crossing the 50-run mark in an innings that got India to a respectable 221. Kate Cross, who was adjudged Player of the Match, picked up the second five-for of her ODI career.

Chasing a below-par target of 221, England got off to a less-than-ideal start and were in a spot of bother at 92/4 with Tammy Beaumont, Heather Knight, Nat Sciver and Lauren Winfield-Hill all back in the hut. Sophia Dunkley, playing only her second ODI, bailed England out of trouble with a sensational knock of 73*, stitching together partnerships with Amy Jones and Katherine Brunt to ensure the home side won the series with a game in hand.

What they said

Kate Cross (England bowler): "I feel like I kind of got recognition for bowling right lines and lengths, which is what I love doing. Credit to the other bowlers for creating pressure at the other end, that helped. You always want to play cricket. Every time you play for your country, you want to put your hand up and win games for the country. I have always had it in my mind to play the World Cup, it is at the back of the mind always."

Harmanpreet Kaur (India batter): "In ODIs, you need to get at least 250 to win games. We know our bowlers are good and they kept us in the game. But yes, it was a below-par total. We did believe we had a chance but credit goes to their batters. They batted really well. We just want to go with the best XI. Every game is important for us."