India’s women’s cricket team won the World Cup after a lengthy drought. And it was only fair that Nooshin Al Khadeer, who had played a key role in India’s runner-up position at the Women’s World Cup in South Africa 18 years prior, was in charge of the team as head coach.
India defeated England in the final of the first Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup, held in Potchefstroom, South Africa. India won with an athletic performance on the field, some disciplined bowling, and a canter with the bat. England’s 68 runs were a result of the combined efforts of fast bowler Titas Sadhu, offspinner Archana Devi, and leg spinner Parshavi Chopra. To cap off the victory, the Shafali Verma-led team celebrated when Soumya Tiwari and G Trisha ended the chase.
TIWARI AND TRISHA ENSURED INDIA’S HANDS ON THE TROPHY
Shafali started the chase of 69 runs with a six. Shafali was dismissed by Hannah Baker, who opened the bowling with Smale.
Baker was remarkable all tournament long. Alexa Stonehouse made a poor decision as the ball went toward midfield, prompting her to dive low to her left Eventually, England’s captain Grace Scrivens had the tournament’s highest run scorer, Shweta Sehrawat.
Anxieties were eased, however, when Tiwari and Trisha left the room after only one drop. Fortunately, they were able to overcome the testing spells by Baker, Smale, and Scrivens. It was Baker’s tenth delivery, and Tiwari had just gotten on the board with a beautiful lofted extra-cover drive. They were just 48 for 2 after 10 overs of England’s all-spin attack, but Tiwari and Trisha ramped up and never gave them a chance. Trisha then responded to right-arm fast bowler Ellie Anderson by hitting consecutive boundaries. However, Trisha was clean bowled as she attempted an ungainly heave with only three runs needed. In contrast, Tiwari was solid and highly experienced.
ENGLAND’S BATTING HAS FAILED FOR THE SECOND GAME IN A ROW
England’s starting duo of Liberty Heap and Emily Scrivens performed admirably throughout the competition, however, Heap’s early exit was a replay of the semi-final. Archana, rather than India’s chosen to pick of left-arm spinner Mannat Kashyap, opened the bowling. Smale was the last batsman to be dismissed after she drove the score up with a pair of fours. Although England had defended 99 runs brilliantly against Australia in the semi-final, a total of 68 was too low to win.