India 169 of 45.4 overs (S Mandhana 50, D Sharma 68*, K Cross 10-2-26-4, F Kemp 7-0-24-2, S Ecclestone 8.4-1-27-2) beat England 153 of 43.3 overs (C Dean 47, J Goswami 10-3-30-2, RS 10-1-29-4, R Gayakwad 10-1-38-2) by 16 runs.
A match that was meant to be the celebration of a great career of Julan Goswami and a woman international being played at Lords, was over shadowed by the way the game was won by India.
This was because Deepti Sharma run out England top scorer Charlie Dean (47) on her follow through as a bowler. As soon as it happened there was a lot of booing in the crowd which got louder as the decision was confirmed by the third umpire.
Chasing just 170 to win, Dean came to the crease after England slipped to 65-7, with India seamer Renuka Singh Thakur taking 4-29 and Goswami 2-30.
It was a terrific effort from 21-year-old Dean, who fell just three runs short of her maiden international half-century as England ended 153 all out.
She was supported by Captain Amy Jones’ 28, but when Kate Cross was dismissed for 10 to leave England nine wickets down, they still required another 52 runs for victory.
Number 11 Freya Davies batted sensibly, nudging singles, and contributed an unbeaten 10 to a partnership of 36 with Dean, who was dropped at slip on 23, but batted with impressive calmness and temperament to bring England so close.
Earlier, Cross led a much-improved bowling performance for England, taking 4-26 as India were bowled out for 169.
Sharma was left stranded on 68 not out, while opener Smriti Mandhana scored 50.
In front of more than 15,000 fans, a record for a bilateral fixture in the UK, Goswami was given a guard of honour by England’s players before coming out to bat, followed by one from her own team in their fielding innings.
It was an enjoyable day at Lords and the weather was pretty good, considering we are now in autumn.
My own opinion on the decision is that the MCC have changed the rule on the dismissal earlier this year to make it more lawful and from reviews afterwards.
Dean was out of her crease for all but just two balls when backing up, so was she cheating?
I have no problem with the dismissal as it can be done. Just a shame it will be remembered more than for the amazing career of Julan Goswami.
I hope you have enjoyed the pictures and videos from the day?
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