England ease to series victory
England took an unassailable 3-0 lead against India with an eight-wicket victory in a rain-hit clash at Taunton
Cricinfo staff
04-Sep-2008
England 99 for 2 (SC Taylor 29*) beat India 126 for 2 (Raj 55*, Sharma 42) by eight wickets (D/L method)
Scorecard
Scorecard
| ||
England took an unassailable 3-0 lead against India with an eight-wicket victory in a rain-hit clash in Taunton, their 11th win in 14 games - the other three producing no result. Large chunks were cut out of the day, in the end reducing England's task to 99 off 21 overs and they cruised home with 26 balls to spare.
The first spell of action lasted little more than five overs and India managed just four runs. When play resumed Katherine Brunt struck by trapping Karu Jain lbw half-forward, having had two equally good shouts turned down earlier. Brunt and Isha Guha were testing with the new-ball, but the follow-up bowling was less impressive as Jenny Gunn struggled for her line.
However, India never showed any inclination to push the accelerator, plodding along at under three an over. In general England fielded well, but weren't put under much pressure. Mithali Raj played a neat innings, full of well-timed shots, as she struck her second consecutive half-century. But she too was guilty of not playing a few more shots with the innings reduced to 38 overs.
Rain eventually ended India's effort early and just relented in time for England's chase. For such an in-form batting line-up it was never going to be as serious challenge. Sarah Taylor raced out off the blocks with 24 off 17 balls, but it was fitting that Claire Taylor - in her 100th ODI - was at the crease to see the side home alongside Lydia Greenway.
"The bowlers have been superb," said a delighted England captain Charlotte Edwards. "There are two more games to go and hopefully we can win them both."
With England's seemingly unstoppable form, thoughts are turning to the World Cup in Australia during March. This is England's last cricket before the tournament, but Edwards isn't thinking too far ahead. "We have just got to keep playing good cricket," she said. "There are a lot of good teams around and we need to build momentum."