Indian women keep the series alive

India Women 185 for 7 (Chopra 60) beat New Zealand Women 184 for 6 (Drumm 94*, Browne 51) by 3 wickets
Scorecard

Trailing 0-2 in the five-match one-day series, India scraped to a three-wicket victory in a must-win game at Bert Sutcliffe Oval in Lincoln. Set a target of 185, the Indians were guided home by Anjum Chopra, who made 60, and some useful contributions by the tail, ensuring that Emily Drumm's contribution earlier in the day - she remained unbeaten on 94 - went in vain.

Chasing a modest total, the Indians got off to a disastrous start, losing both their openers for ducks. Wickets continued to fall at regular intervals despite Chopra's knock, and at 115 for 6, India were looking at their third defeat in a row. Reema Malhotra and Jhulan Goswami then got together in a crucial 65-run stand which sealed the game with ten balls to spare. Goswami was finally dismissed for 25, but Malhotra remained not out on 36.

When the match started, though, it seemed India would win in a canter, as New Zealand began terribly, losing five wickets with only 13 on the board. Goswami and Rumeli Dhar, the new-ball bowlers, did all the damage, before Drumm found an able ally in Nicola Browne, who made 51. The two put together 107 for the sixth wicket to take New Zealand towards a respectable total. Aimee Mason helped further prop up the total with a quick 25 off 27 balls, but in the end the runs still turned out to be a touch too few for New Zealand.