GQEBERHA, South Africa (AP) —Unbeaten England is nearly there after coming out on top in its matchup with India for a third win.
England came through its toughest test yet by holding off India by 11 runs in their top-of-the-table meeting in Group 2.
India, which also came into the game in Gqeberha unbeaten, fell short of England’s total of 151-7 despite 52 from opener Smriti Mandhana and another fighting innings at the end by wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh, who made 47 not out but wasn’t able to take her team home this time.
India managed only 140-5 and England is clear at the top of the group and within a whisker of a place in the last four. England plays Pakistan in its last group game on Tuesday.
England began the game under pressure when seamer Renuka Singh struck in each of her first three overs, removing Danni Wyatt for a duck, Alice Capsey for 3 and Sophia Dunkley for 10.
Nat Sciver-Brunt rescued England from 29-3 with her 50 from 42 balls, and her partnerships of 51 with Heather Knight and 40 with Amy Jones ensured the English posted a competitive total at St. George’s Park.
Mandhana was up for the challenge, crashing seven fours and a six. But she fell in the 16th over and straight after hitting her six, caught at long-on attempting another big shot, to leave India too much to do.
“It’s good to see that our batting group showed character even after 29 for 3,” England captain Knight said. “We haven’t really played against a big team recently and to play like this against this Indian team was fantastic.”