Navi Mumbai, Dec 16: Deepti Sharma played the enforcer’s role to perfection for the second time in as many days as the dominant India Women scripted a historic 347-run victory over England on the third day of the one-off Test here on Saturday.
India set in motion the hunt for triumph while declaring their second innings closed at the overnight score of 186 for 6, leaving England to climb a huge mountain of 479 runs in their second innings.The Indian bowlers led by off-spinner Deepti Sharma (4/32) and pacer Pooja Vastrakar (3/23) then bundled out England for 131 to celebrate a victory which now stands as the biggest in terms of runs in the history of women’s Test cricket, bettering Sri Lanka’s 309-run victory over Pakistan in April 1998.It was also India’s first win over England at home in 15 Tests, having beaten them in away games twice in 2014, giving them a big boost ahead of the one-off Test against Australia starting here next week.
Over the course of the last three days the Indians did not show any rust of not having played Test cricket in two years, and a first at home after nine years, while being at their ruthless best.But for all that slew of records, the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side should thank Deepti (8-2-32-4) who was in her elements after that sensational 5 for seven in the first innings, as England lacked gumption to fight even on a pitch that appeared to be far more gentle.
India did not have to wait for long for the first breakthrough this morning.It came in the form of Tammy Beaumont (17) with pacer Renuka Singh moving the ball in from outside the off to knock down her off-stump.England sunk deeper after suffering twin blows in Vastrakar’s first over. (PTI)
