Deepti does a “Mankad” and Indian women beat England 3-0

By Kersi Meher-Homji 

In a controversial finish India beat England by 16 runs at Lord’s to win the three match One Day International (ODI) series 3-0. Call it a whitewash.

It is the first time India inflicted a 3-0 on England since 2002. Coincidently India’s fast bowler Jhulan Goswami had made her ODI debut that year. She farewelled international cricket last night. Call it “Bees saal baad”!

She took 2 for 30 in her final appearance and was lifted by her colleagues as a Guard of Honour.

Sent in to bat India started poorly and was 4 down for only 29 runs but were rescued by Deepti Sharma scoring 68 not out with 7 fours and Smriti Mandhana (50 with 5 fours). India was all out for 169.

England’s start was deplorable as they lost 7 for 65. India was looking for an easy victory but Charlie Dean played a sterling knock of 47 with 5 fours.

It was heart-wrenching cricket at the end. With only 17 runs needed she was run out by Deepti Sharma. When running in to bowl, she noticed that Dean backing up too far at the non-striker’s and ran her out “Mankad style” to claim the final wicket. Many consider this type of dismissal unsporting but I don’t. If a wicket-keeper can stump a batter if out of the crease why can’t a bowler run out a non-striker if out of crease?

India’s great all-rounder Vinoo Mankad had created history by running out non-striker Australia’s opening batter Bill Brown for backing up in the 1947 Sydney Test.

Back to last night. England was dismissed for 153 and lost by 16 runs. For taking 4 for 29, medium-pacer Renuka Singh Thakur was named Player of the Match.

India’s current captain and Player of the Series Harmanpreet Kaur said at the presentation: “This wicket was not easy to bat on, our batters did a decent job. We were looking for 170 after losing four wickets. After that we knew we have the pace attack and spin attack to take the wickets. We never thought we were out of the game.

[On Charlie Dean’s run out by Deepti Sharma] “It’s part of the game I don’t think we have done something new. It shows your awareness, what batters are doing. I will back my players, she hasn’t done something outside the rules.

“After the first game we discussed, we wanted to do really well, we have that much potential. We want to continue this kind of cricket. I’m enjoying my time, I want to be there for the team because if I’m there the team is in a positive mode.

[On Goswami’s retirement] “When I debuted she was a leader. Before the game I told her when I was going through the best time people supported me but when I was in a rough time she was the one who supported me. I wanted to thank her and tell her she is always with us. She is a go-to person, I always called her at low times and she was someone always guiding me.”

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