Nat Sciver-Brunt leads England to decisive victory over India

England have maintained their ideal start to the women’s T20 World Cup with an 11-run win over India at Gqeberha.

India and England had both won their first two games, knowing that whoever lost on Saturday would most likely have to meet Australia in the semi-finals.

The champions of Meg Lanning, who played South Africa later on Saturday at the same venue, could well face India in the last four

England’s spinners successfully managed to keep run-rate down in the middle overs, with India hitting 44 runs without hitting a limit and Heather Knight’s side clinging to victory despite a costly final over from Katherine Sciver-Brunt.

In the first innings after being put in the bat, England’s veteran players kept their nerve to recover from losing early wickets and put up 7-151 overall.

England were 3-29 on the power play and were particularly struggling against Indian seam bowler Renuka Singh as the 27-year-old finished 5-15 from her four overs.

But Nat Sciver-Brunt then stabilized the English innings, making 50 of 42 supplies and putting up 51 with Knight (28) and 40 with wicketkeeper Amy Jones scoring a useful 40 of 27.

India started their chase on the front foot, scoring 29 from losing the first wicket, with the Women’s Premier League’s most expensive player Smriti Mandhana leading from the front at the top of the order and going a half-century to her own (52 from 41) .

However, their chase faltered with the introduction of the spin, with Sarah Glenn winning two wickets and Sophie Ecclestone’s four overs for just 14 runs.

Richa Ghosh briefly threatened to see the game through to the end, hitting a quick 47-of-34 including two sixes, but England were able to secure the win.