Twitter Reactions: Kate Cross picks a fifer as England secure ODI series win against India

The second ODI between India Women and England Women turned out to be a closer affair as compared to the opening game. However, the hosts held their nerve to win the match by five wickets with 15 balls left after Kate Cross and Sophia Dunkley’s heroics. At the Cooper Associates County Ground in Taunton, England also pocketed the series 2-0 with one match remaining.

Cross and Raj shine

After being inserted in to bat, Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma got India off to a steady start with a 56-run stand for the opening wicket. The former notched 22 runs and looked set, but Cross found her inside edge and castled her.

Jemimah Rodrigues, who replaced Punam Raut in the eleven, couldn’t get going after he top-edged one off Cross straight down the throat of Katherine Brunt. Shafali, at the other end, blended caution with aggression and scored a 55-ball 44 with seven fours. Sophie Ecclestone cut short her stay in the middle.

Mithali Raj came to the party yet again as her 92-ball 59 guided the visitors to respectability. Cameos from Jhulan Goswami and Poonam Yadav helped India post 221. Cross picked up five wickets and she got support from Sophie, who got three scalps.

Dunkley takes charge

England had their fair share of stutters in their run-chase. Tammy Beaumont, Heather Knight, and Nat Sciver entered the double digits but failed to carry on. Lauren Winfield-Hill played a handy knock of 42 off 57, laced with four fours and one six, and kept her team going.

At one point in time, the home team was reduced to 92 for four in 21.5 overs with both teams having an equal chance to win. However, Sophia Dunkley and Katherine Brunt made sure that England get over the line without a further hiccup.

The duo stitched together an unbeaten partnership of 92 runs for the sixth wicket. Dunkley notched a half-century off 62 balls to keep India at bay. She stayed unscathed on 73 even as Brunt scored 33*. For the Women in Blue, Poonam Yadav was the most successful with two wickets to her name.

Here’s how the netizens reacted to England’s win in Taunton:

Spotted a CSK jersey in the Tounton crowd. The only guy who's supporting India as well as Kate Cross. #ENGWvINDW @katecross16 @AlexHartley93 @ChennaiIPL pic.twitter.com/VGVGMUxSso

— Jay Akbari (@_black__jaguar_) June 30, 2021

Sophia Dunkley (73*) and Kate Cross (5 for 34) helped England's series-clinching five-wicket win over India.#ENGWvINDW #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/FGhH4bBiNv

— ABDULLAH NEAZ (@AbdullahNeaz) July 1, 2021

🇮🇳 It wasn't our day in the office but we know there are good days to come!

COTI!#ENGWvINDW #BharatArmy https://t.co/PXgTcrxMkU

— The Bharat Army (@thebharatarmy) July 1, 2021

Sophia Dunkley is in ominous form. Amazing find for England. #ENGWvINDW

— suhas (@suhas_sm) July 1, 2021

Indwomem shorts of at least 30 runs the phase where they could collect runs at that Time they lose wickets consecutive ly so 250 could make difference although fast bowlers did their Best picked wickets by not giving so many runs #ENGWvINDW

— AnuP MaHapatrA (@am_i_anup) June 30, 2021

Well England have done it again they won d match by 5 wickets and also the series 2-0 (3). India needs to steady their lower middle order, losing quick wickets costing India so much at the scoreboard. Captain @M_Raj03 was once again to the recuse. (1/2)#ENGWvINDW

— அருண் (@arunrajmohan95) June 30, 2021

It is with great sadness that the Indian women's team will not be able to win a single ODI from England.

हमारी महिलाए सच में किसी से कम है। और बहुत स्लो खेलती है। इनको कोई भी हरा देगा। run rate is most important in this series…#ENGvIND #ENGWvINDW pic.twitter.com/Vg1fnlEbtB

— दिलीप सिंह ✨❤️ 🇮🇳 (@iamdilipsingh_) June 30, 2021

@ImHarmanpreet Captaincy appreciation tweet 👏👏
England team well balanced. Very difficult for @BCCIWomen against this team. Hope I am wrong.#ENGvIND #ENGWvINDW

— Swap (@Swappnill) June 30, 2021