Captain Kaur’s century guides India to series win

An unbeaten century from Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur guided her side to a whopping 88-run victory over England in the second ODI at Canterbury on Wednesday.

The 33-year-old allrounder smashed a massive 143 off 111 (18 fours, 4 sixes) as the Indians posted a daunting total of 333 for five in their 50 overs – the highest total conceded by England in an ODI on home soil.

After winning the toss and opting to field first, things looked to be going the home side’s way when Kate Cross bowled opener Shafali Verma for just eight runs in the second over, but the celebrations didn’t last.

Fellow opener Smriti Mandhana contributed 40 before being trapped LBW by Sophie Ecclestone and Harleen Deol added 58. But it was captain Kaur’s magnificent century that really put the match out of reach.

Set the target of 334, England faced the mammoth task of achieving the first ever successful chase of a 300-plus total in women’s ODIs. But they fell well short in the end.

Danni Wyatt top-scored with 65 off 58 balls, but she was the only batter to pass the half-century mark, and Renuka Singh’s 4-57 ensured the English stood little chance of salvaging the series. The home side were eventually all out for 245 in the 43rd over.

India’s win means the third ODI at Lord’s on Saturday will be a dead rubber, with only pride on offer for the home side.