England wins Women's World Cup in thrilling finish over India at packed-out Lord's

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England has won its fourth Women's World Cup, with Anya Shrubsole taking six wickets to clinch a nine-run victory over India amid delirious scenes at a packed Lord's.

The home side looked in danger of defeat as India beared down on its total of 7-228, but an astonishing spell of seam bowling by England's vice-captain turned the game on its head in the most nail-biting of finishes.

India was coasting on 3-191 when Shrubsole took the key wicket of Poonam Raut, lbw for 86, and the inexperienced middle order collapsed to 219 all out in the 49th over.

Apart from her wickets, Shrubsole also played a key role in the run out of Shikha Pandey, collecting sharply in the covers and throwing back to wicketkeeper Sarah Taylor, when India was still in the game needing 14 off the last three overs.

As a youngster, Shrubsole once watched her father Ian play club cricket at Lord's and she said to play a starring role in England's victory was a dream come true.

"It was an amazing game from start to finish," she said.

"It was a fitting final for what has been a great World Cup."

Reuters

Topics: cricket, sport, england, india

First posted</s>LONDON—England lifted the Women’s Cricket World Cup for the fourth time after beating India by nine runs at Lord’s on Sunday. India, chasing a modest 229 to win, was cruising to victory in the final as it reached 190 for three. But a late collapse, sparked by five wickets in 19 balls from Anya Shrubsole, saw England snatch an unlikely victory on home soil. “It was just an unbelievable game. We looked for minute like we were out of it,” Shrubsole said. “But one of the great things about this team, we never give up. We never let the run rate get away from us, even though we weren’t getting wickets. We knew if we got a couple we’d be right in the game and all was well in the end. “I think it’s a dream and a dream you never think is going to come true.” It was a milestone moment for women’s cricket as Lord’s — known as the Home of Cricket — was sold out and ticket scalpers were outside the ground.

The English had lost to India in their opening game of the tournament but impressive victories in the next six matches made them favourites to add to the cups they won in 1973, 1993 and 2009. England captain Heather Knight won the toss and chose to bat first, but she had departed for one when Natalie Sciver arrived in the middle with England 63 for three. Sciver and Sarah Taylor put on 83 for the fourth wicket, but both were casualties of a stunning spell of three wickets for two runs off 10 balls by fast bowler Jhulan Goswami. Sciver, the only player to make two centuries at this World Cup, reached another 50, but added just one more run before she was trapped by Goswami.

Katherine Brunt made a breezy 34 and Jenny Gunn an unbeaten 25, but England’s total of 228 for seven appeared distinctly reachable for India. Shrubsole got England off to a dream start as India began their reply, nicking the off-stump of the dangerous Smriti Mandhana for a duck in the second over. When Mithali Raj got herself run out, by Sciver, going for a single that was never on, India was 43 for two and the encounter was finely poised. However, that brought Harmanpreet Kaur, who destroyed Australia with a breathtaking unbeaten 171 in the semifinal, to the crease. Kaur clubbed two sixes on her way to 51 before holing out to Tammy Beaumont, off Alex Hartley, going for a third. But fielding woes and mistakes were starting to creep in for England. Taylor missed a stumping to get rid of Poonam Raut before Knight dropped Veda Krishnamurthy. The game seemed up by the time Raut, struggling with cramp, finally fell leg before to Shrubsole for 86, leaving India 191 for four. But when Hartley accounted for Sushma Verma for a duck, then Shrubsole removed Krishnamurthy and Goswami in successive balls, England had a lifeline. Taylor thought she had Deepthi Sharma stumped but an drawn-out replay could not prove her foot was off the floor at the point of impact. Yet moments later Shikha Pandey was run out, Sharma picked out Sciver off Shrubsole and India was nine down. Unbelievably, Gunn dropped the most straightforward catch of a thrilling final from Rajeshwari Gayakwad just to ramp up the tension even further. But Shrubsole got the job done with the next ball, clean bowling Gayakwad to spark celebrations on the pitch and bedlam in the stands in north London.</s>England have won the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup after beating India by nine runs in a dramatic final at Lord's.

India were all out for 219 with Anya Shrubsole taking six wickets to seal a dramatic victory in front of a sell-out crowd at the home of English cricket.

England lost their opening match to today's opposition just under a month ago but would go on a run of winning every game since then – including a long-overdue win over Australia – to today where they were crowned champions for a fourth time.</s>When India took on home favourites England in their opening match of the ICC Women's World Cup about a month ago, they had come into the tournament on a winning note. Not only had they won their last four ODI series, they had defeated South Africa in the final of the qualifier and the quadrangular series. But captain Mithali Raj had remained cautious. "We need to start fresh again in the World Cup," she had said. Cut the scene to a month later and India women are on the verge of making history. Come June 23, they will once again take on the home team they had beaten by 35 runs at Derby, but the venue this time will be Lord's. The India team's run at the World Cup has been terrific so far. They've reached the final for the second time and are looking to win their maiden title against thrice winners England. They've beaten tough teams such as Australia and New Zealand en route while specific members have gone on to make impressive records. (LIVE SCORECARD)

ICC Women's World Cup 2017 Final: Live Updates of India Vs England straight from Lord's, London

15:24 IST: 9 runs off Shikha Pandey's over. England 30/0 in 6 overs.

15:21 IST: FOUR! What a timing from Beaumont. She leans forward and sends Shikha Pandey towards sweeper covers.

15:14 IST: FOUR! Beaumont sends Jhulan towards square of the wicket. Perfect timing from her. England 15/0 in 3 overs.

15:10 IST: 10 runs off Shikha Pandey's over. England 11/0 in 2 overs.

15:06 IST: Brilliant start from India. Just 1 run off Jhulan Goswami's over. England 1-0 in 1 over.

15:02 IST: Winfield and Beaumont are at the crease. Jhulan Goswami will open the attack for India. Here we go

15:00 IST: 105-year-old Eileen Ash, the oldest living former Test international, rings the five-minute bell at Lord's.

14:53 IST: Both the teams have arrived for the national anthems. What a moment at Lord's. Loud cheer from the crowd.

14:37 IST: MCC has allowed drums and flags for England vs India final at Lord's.

14:32 IST: TOSS: England opt to bat against India at Lord's

14:25 IST: Toss is just few minutes away. Stay tuned.

14:15 IST: Overall, the two countries have played 62 ODIs against each other. India have won 26, while England have emerged victorious 34 times and two matches resulted in no result.

14:05 IST: Since the inception of the Women's World Cup in 1973, India and England have met on 10 occasions. The England team leads the head-to-head record 6-4.

13:40 IST: On paper, three-time title winners England will be the favourites but India's performance in the tournament, especially knocking out Australia, has made them the team to watch.

13:25 IST: This will be India's second World Cup final, having reached the summit clash in 2005 where they lost to Australia at Centurion.

31:22 IST: On a high after a sensational semi-final win against world beaters Australia, the India are all set to script history when they take on three-time winners England.

13:20 IST: Hello and welcome to the LIVE updates from the ICC Women's World Cup 2017 final between India and England at Lord's.

Though England hold a numerical advantage of having beaten India six out the 10 times the teams have met in the World Cup, one can't discount India's recent run in the tournament.

While Mithali crossed the 6000-run mark and also became the highest run-scorer in women's ODIs, Ekta Bisht and Rajeshwari Gayakwad's five-wicket hauls against Pakistan and New Zealand, respectively, have helped India's results immensely. While Smriti Mandhana's early knocks of 90 against England and a century against the West Indies propelled India's first two wins, she's failed to replicate the form since. However, the name on everyone's lips at the moment is that of Harmanpreet Kaur, whose stunning unbeaten 171 outclassed former champions Australia in the semi-finals. India need to keep the winning momentum going to be able to lift their maiden World Cup. If they win, they'll only become the fourth nation to ever win the World Cup.</s>Anya Shrubsole described it as a dream come true after she took six wickets to help England clinch the Women's Cricket World Cup with a narrow victory over India.

The hosts won by nine runs at Lord's after a late collapse from India saw them fall agonisingly short in their pursuit of 228.

Shrubsole, who took five wickets in 19 balls, told Sky Sports: "I'm a little bit lost for words, if I'm honest.

"It was just an unbelievable game, we looked for minute like we were out of it, but one of the great things about this team, we never give up.

"We never let the run rate get away from us, even though we weren't getting wickets. We knew if we got a couple we'd be right in the game and all was well in the end.

"I think it's a dream and a dream you never think is going to come true."

Coach Mark Robinson remained confident England could win despite the lack of early wickets.

"I always thought we were in the game," he said. "Obviously they (India) played really well and full credit to them.

"It was always about getting that one wicket. If we get the one wicket, we try and get two and three, and we did.

"I'm so proud of them.

"We've got a lot of heart and a lot of courage in this team and we just need that break every now and again and once we got the break we were right in this game."</s>Women's World Cup: England v India on destiny's edge ahead of final decider at Lord's

With the benefit of hindsight, narratives are easy to build. Any team or athlete winning any title can have a story arc drawn for them, by which their path to the prize seems retrospectively inevitable.

On a cool London evening a dozen hours before the Women's World Cup final of 2017, both contenders have the kind of story arc that would seem deserving of ending with the final.

India's captain Mithali Raj has finally become a celebrity during this tournament, something belated and deserved after a dozen years of cool-headedness, patience, and restraint leading a patchy Indian side.

As recently as last year her charges were shambolic, going out at the earliest stage in the World Twenty20 despite it being held on home soil. In fact, playing at home only seemed to increase the pressure on her players.

Their poor ranking also meant having to play the qualifying tournament for the next 50-over World Cup, while the top four teams went straight in.

Fast forward to 2017, and India won through those qualifiers undefeated. Relatively anonymous in England, the visiting team jumped the home side on the first day of the World Cup, demoralising England with a batting assault and then producing the bowling to defend it.

Wins over the three tournament strugglers followed, but the familiar history of panicking seemed to have returned when qualification was within grasp. There's not much difference between a choke and acid reflux.

India first lost to a beatable South Africa, then turned in their limpest performance in a long time against Australia. It seemed like the magic had departed, the belief had dried up.

There was one more chance to qualify, against a traditionally strong New Zealand team that would also make the semi-finals with a win. India absolutely destroyed the White Ferns, blowing them off the park for less than 80, after Raj's century had set up an imposing total.

In the semi-final, any doubt that the belief was back evaporated as quickly as the morning rain. Afternoon sun broke over Derby, and Harmanpreet Kaur broke Australia with the most audacious and significant innings ever played in cornflower blue.

The quality is there. Harmanpreet and Raj are now twin headliners. Smriti Mandhana was talk of the tournament early, Punam Raut has turned in some substantial efforts. That's the top four, all with hundreds in this tournament.

Veda Krishnamurthy, unleashed, has been loving her late-innings hitting. Shikha Pandey is one of the wiliest swing bowlers around, while pace spearhead Jhulan Goswami has improved by the game, peaking with her peach to bowl Meg Lanning and effectively seal the semi-final.

The spin department is so deep that Ekta Bisht, fresh off a five-for a few games ago, can't get back in the side. Rajeshwari Gayakwad has been accurate with her left arm, Deepti Sharma bowls off-breaks with beautiful shape, Poonam Yadav confuses with her high-tossed leg spin.

India could easily feel that destiny is theirs. The change they've undergone, the trajectory they're on. Except that England could make exactly the same claim.

Similarly, the England team of 2016 seemed a miserable place to be. Having surrendered the 2015 Ashes from several strong positions, England fell apart against Australia in the World T20 final.

The players looked constrained, anxious, out of ideas, afraid to lose. Collapses come fast in those sides. Something needed to be done.

Coach Mark Robinson refreshed the playing list and brought a new attitude to proceedings. Most importantly, said all of the players the Friday before the final at a media open day, they're free to be themselves.

That came across in the interviews — straight talking, plenty of jokes, an absence of media spin. These players have rolled through their World Cup with smiles on faces, led notably in that department by captain Heather Knight.

After the surprise of that first India loss, England bounced back by demolishing Pakistan, then doing the same to South Africa on the back of Natalie Sciver's hundred, scoring over 370 both times. Confidence surged back.

The win over Australia by three runs was exactly the sort of game England teams of the past would have lost. This time, these players held their nerve. And their catches, two right on the boundary that were so close to going for six.

The firepower is exceptional: Knight and Sciver in the middle, Sarah Taylor the most accomplished strokeplayer going around, Tammy Beaumont the tournament's leading runscorer, Lauren Winfield dangerous as her opening partner.

Then there's the finishing adaptability of Fran Wilson, helped by Katherine Brunt and Jenny Gunn hitting their lower-order shots well. Alex Hartley's left-arm spin has been outstanding, Anya Shrubsole swings the ball and hits yorkers, Brunt bounces it and hits players.

The ability isn't anything new, it's always been there. The mentality is new. These players are loving playing cricket, loving being professional, loving the others in their setup.

It doesn't seem in the slightest confected — at the media day, most of the squad is gathered around chatting to journalists, but once the press has drifted away the players stay on, talking to each other. Smiling and laughing.

They're at Lord's, where they'll be playing in a couple of days time. But they don't seem overawed by it. They seem ready to take it on.

As well they might, in a country that has embraced this World Cup like no other women's tournament before it packing the radio and TV ratings, watching the web highlights, and the small matter of selling out the Home of Cricket for the final date on the calendar.

If England wins, it will look like a matter of destiny, and a moment that could revolutionise the sport in this country. If India wins, it will look like a matter of destiny, and a moment that could revolutionise the sport in that country.

Whichever team wins, the good work has already been done. The goodwill has been won. You couldn't begrudge it to either, and both have shown the talent and capacity to reach that final goal.

As far as World Cup deciders go, you can't ask for anything more.</s>Indian cricket's no.1 support group will be present at Lord's for the WWC final

There could not have been a better venue for the final.

When England take on India in the final of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2017, the fortress Lord’s will not just be cheering, but also playing drums. The Bharat Army, a group of men who play a couple of musical instruments during India’s matches, will be allowed at the iconic venue.

According to ESPNcricinfo, the Bharat Army requested the ICC and MCC to permit them to play a number of instruments. However, the respective boards allowed only dhol, the traditional Indian drum. No other instruments will be permitted.

In case you didn’t know...

The Lord’s Cricket Ground will be hosting the finals of a Women’s World Cup after 24 years. The last time when it did, hosts England beat New Zealand in front of a scarce crowd. However, with women’s cricket finally gaining the popularity it deserves, the tickets for the 2017 finals are all sold out.

The heart of the matter

Along with the Indian Army playing the drum, the stadium authorities have also allowed distribution of flags for supporters of both the teams. Espncricinfo report that spectators, for most matches at the Lord’s, are not allowed flags, but have welcomed the change for the mega event.

Earlier, England beat South Africa in the first semi-final to become the first finalists of the tournament. India beat Australia in the second semi-final, on the back of a heroic knock of 171 not out from middle order batswoman Harmanpreet Kaur, which sent fans into a frenzy. However, it was reported earlier that Kaur injured herself during the net session ahead of the finals. And if she is unable to recover on time, her absence can be a huge drawback to India’s chances of lifting their maiden World Cup title.

For all the fans in India, catch all the action live from Lord’s on Star Sports at 3 PM IST. Although England have the home support, India have just beaten two world-class teams, New Zealand and Australia, back to back, and thus cannot be ruled out.

That the Bharat Army, which is seen in almost every game the men’s team play, travelled to England to support the girls is a proof that women’s cricket has finally come out of the shadow of their male counterparts. And a final at Lord’s can just bring about a new revolution in Indian Women’s Cricket. Do not miss the game.</s>LONDON: Anya Shrubsole bowled England to a dramatic nine-run win over India in the Women's World Cup final at Lord's on Sunday (Jul 23).

India, set 229 to win, were well on course for victory at 191 for three in front of a full hose of more than 26,000.

But the dismissal of opener Punam Raut, who made a fine 86, lbw to Shrubsole, sparked a stunning collapse.

Shrubsole took five wickets for 11 runs in 19 deliveries as India, bidding for a first World Cup title on the ground where their men's side won an inaugural World Cup crown in 1983, slumped to 219 all out with eight balls left.

Pace bowler Shrubsole finished with record-breaking figures of six for 46 in 9.4 overs -- the first five-wicket haul by any bowler in a Women's World Cup final.

Victory gave England a fourth World Cup title and third on home soil, as they gained revenge for their opening group stage loss to India.

"I'm a little bit lost for words, if I'm honest," Shrubsole told Sky Sports.

"It was just an unbelievable game, we looked for a minute like we were out of it, but one of the great things about this team, we never give up.

"We knew if we got a couple we'd be right in the game and all was well in the end."

England captain Heather Knight added: "I can't stop smiling. I am so proud of this group of girls. We made it hard for ourselves but I couldn't care less."

Her side had a major rethink under coach Mark Robinson after themselves suffering a batting slump when they lost a Women's World Twenty20 semi-final to Australia in India last year.

"Back in Delhi was a long time ago but it was the making of this team," said Knight. "Anya Shrubsole - what a hero."

India captain Mithali Raj admitted her side had "panicked" towards the finish.

"Credit to them. They kept their nerve. There was a time when the match was in the balance. We panicked and they came out victorious.

"I would like to tell the girls I am very proud of them. They didn't make any match look easy for the opposition."

India suffered an early setback in their chase when Smriti Mandhana - who made 90 in their tournament-opening win over England - was bowled for a duck by Shrubsole.

Meanwhile Raj, in what was, together with fellow 34-year-old Jhulan Goswami, likely to be her last chance to win a World Cup after being on the losing side in 2005, was in good touch.

But the all-time leading run-scorer in women's one-day internationals, effectively ran herself out for just 17.

Her exit brought in the big-hitting Harmanpreet Kaur, whose stunning 171 not out had set up India's semi-final win over reigning champions Australia.

Kaur lofted and swept left-arm spinner Alex Hartley for two huge sixes.

Raut went to fifty in 78 balls and Kaur got there in 80 balls.

But the duo were separated when Kaur swept Harley straight to Tammy Beaumont at deep backward square to end a stand of 95.

Sarah Taylor, arguably the best wicket-keeper in the women's game, then missed a chance to stump Raut, on 65.

Another chance went begging when Veda Krishnamurthy (10) was dropped by Knight at extra cover.

Krishnamurthy raised a fifty stand with Raut off just 54 balls with two successive fours off Shrubsole.

Raut's fine innings ended when she was lbw to Shrubsole, having faced 115 balls including four fours and a six.

India's target was soon under a run-a-ball but that did not matter as Shrubsole bowled England to victory.

Krishnamurthy holed out for 35 and Goswami was yorked by Shrubsole for a duck.

Shrusbole, after Jenny Gunn had dropped a simple catch, ended the match by bowling Rajeshwari Gayakwad for a duck.

Earlier pace bowler Goswami took three for 23 in 10 overs as India held England to 228 for seven.

Goswami's haul, which saw her take two wickets in two balls, included the dismissals of Taylor (45) and top-scorer Nat Sciver (51).

But England's tail, with Katherine Brunt making 34, took them past 200 and those runs proved vital in the end.</s>2017 is now an important landmark in the history of women's cricket for India. It is safe to say that Mithali Raj and her girls have inspired a billion in the country finishing second best after losing to England by nine runs in the final of ICC Women's World Cup 2017.

Raj and her girls were the toast of the nation even before they headed into Lord's for the high-profile encounter that saw a sell-out crowd at the Mecca of Cricket and unprecedented followers on television and digital platforms.

The girls were dominating the headlines, and social media was abuzz about the Harmanpreet Kaurs, Rajs and Jhulan Goswamis as India had stunned six-time champions in the semi-final on Thursday.

On Sunday, Even as the teams were standing for national anthems ahead of the match, one could feel the enormity of the situation. However, Raj, known for her calm demeanour, was at it again and there were no signs of her being overwhelmed by the moment.

How it all unfolded on the big day

Heather Knight's side won the toss and did not think twice before opting to bat first on what turned out to be a slow and low surface. However, they ended up with a below-par score of 228 on the board.

At one stage, when Sarah Taylor and Natalie Sciver had stitched 83-run stand, the hosts were looking good for a big total. However, Goswami, the all-time leading wicket-taker, put India back in the match with three quick wickets in her second spell.

In reply, India started on a poor note as the horror run for opener Smriti Mandhana continued. However, Punam Raut, who had scored a ton against Australia in the group stages, stepped up on the big stage with a valiant 86 that went in vain.

Raj's unwanted run out early in the chase put pressure, but it was all negated by the solid 95-run stand between Raut and in-form Harmanpreet Kaur in the middle overs.

However, India's inexperience at the biggest stage showed as they lost the last seven wickets for just 29 runs, much to the disappointment of millions, who were rooting for India after they were cruising in the middle overs.

England's Anya Shrubsole ended up with six wickets and won the Player of the Match Award on the big day as her team won its fourth world title.

"I am proud. It wasn't easy for England but credit to them for keeping their nerve. There was a time where the match was in the balance, but we panicked," Raj said during the post-match presentation ceremony.

She added: "I am very proud of the girls. They didn't make any match look easy for the other team. Thank you to the crowd for turning up for a Women's cricket final. This is a huge boost for all the women cricketers."

Mithali further said: "All the youngsters tried their best, I'm sure this experience will help them. Now, people back home will have a different perspective about women's cricket."</s>ICC Women's World Cup 2017: India will beat England in the final on Sunday, says Sourav Ganguly

It will be a tough task for the Indian team to beat England in the final

Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly has praised Harmanpreet Kaur for her innings against Australia in the semi-final and has predicted India to beat England in the final on July 23.

Talking to the Press Trust of India ahead of the final, Ganguly said “I saw Kaur's innings yesterday. She was superb against Australia in the semis. India will beat England in the final on Sunday.”

In case you didn't know...

Harmanpreet Kaur's unbeaten 171 in the second semi-final against Australia has created a lot of buzz among the cricket fans as it was once in a lifetime performance by the Punjab all-rounder.

She came into a situation when India lost two early wickets and were struggling to post a total of 200 on the board. When Harmanpreet started her assault on the Aussie bowlers, things changed drastically as India posted 281 in their 42 overs. Harman was severe on every single Aussie bowler as he scored her runs off just 115 balls with the help of 20 fours and seven sixes.

Also read: How Sachin Tendulkar helped Harmanpreet Kaur get a job in Western Railways

The target was too much for the defending champions as they lost the match by 36 runs. Deepti Sharma was the pick of the Indian bowlers with three wickets while pacers Jhulan Goswami and Shikha Pandey settled for two wickets apiece.

Indian women kicked off the 2017 ICC Women's World Cup with a huge win over the hosts England and went on to win their next three matches on the trot to make it four wins in four matches.

After a great start to the tournament, Mithali's side's progress in the tournament was stopped by South Africa and Australia as their last group game against New Zealand became a virtual knockout. Mithali, Harman and Veda Krishnamurthy brought their A game as India routed the White Ferns for a place in the semis against the Southern Stars from Australia.

Extra cover: Rajeev Shukla's congratulatory post for Indian Women's Cricket team goes wrong, Twitteratti doesn't spare him

Almost every single member of the team contributed to the team's success and they will look to do the same in the final.

India take on hosts England in the final of the World Cup at the historic Lord's Cricket Ground on July 23 (tomorrow). This is the second time the Indian women have made it to the final of a World Cup, the first time being in 2005 under Mithali Raj.

Also read: If India win on Sunday, it will eclipse 2011 World Cup triumph, says Gautam Gambhir

Sourav Ganguly was right to praise Harmanpreet for her knock in the semis. At the same time, it will be a tough task for the Indian team to beat England in the final as they have a lot of firepower in their line-up. The Indian team will need their star players to step up their game if they want to lift the title tomorrow.
In cricket, England defeats India in the final at Lord's in London. Anya Shrubsole took six wickets in India's innings.