Posted On Monday, February 04, 2013 at 08:11:50 AM
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Harmanpreet Kaur on her way to maiden ODI hundred against England at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai yesterday
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Harmanpreet Kaur hit her maiden ODI century against England yesterday, but India’s 32-run defeat in the Group A match of the ICC Women’s World Cup would have left her with a bittersweet feeling afterwards. The 23-year-old was the toast of the India batting line-up with an unbeaten 107 off 109 deliveries, after Charlotte Edwards’ ton for the visitors earlier in the day, after England were asked to bat, set the hosts a stiff 273-run target.
The Punjab-based hard-hitting batswoman, however, was pleased with her performance and hopes to emulate the same against Sri Lanka in India’s final Group A contest on Tuesday. “I tried to take my time at the wicket and I knew if I played calmly we could get there [target], so I concentrated on the singles early on and then went for the big hits,” she said.
 “My coach [Yadvinder Singh Sodhi] always said to open up and play. Their fielding was quite good and they bowled well, especially Brunt.” It was double joy for the English skipper who reached two milestones. When on 53, she overtook Australian Belinda Clark as the highest run scorer of all time in ODIs, then edging closer to her century she added her name to the elite list of women that have crossed the 1,000-run barrier in World Cup.
After India made a dream start following the early wicket of Danielle Wyatt (2), Edwards was involved in a 100-run stand for the second wicket with Sarah Taylor, who was run out for 35. Edwards then found an able ally in Lydia Greenway, the pair put up 62 from 51 balls.
Greenway retreated holding out to Punam Raut at mid-on off Goswami for 29 and would have kicked herself for the impetuosity, which saw her exit four runs short of 2,000 ODI runs.
After Brunt was caught out at point by Sharma off Gouher Sultana for a quick 21 off 16 balls, England capitulated briefly, with Edwards, Jennifer Gunn (3) and Heather Knight (2) getting out in successive overs. Edwards paced her 123-ball innings well, knocking 16 boundaries in the process.
However, it was Arran Brindle (37) and Laura Marsh’s (13) pacy 27 for the eight wicket, which took England past 250 and to a score India failed to match. India lacked temperament at the start of their run chase. Needing a little under 5.5 an over is not an easy task in this format. And it was hard to think otherwise when the top order fell like a pack of cards.
Needless stroke
Thirushkamini, who scored a century in the opening match with the West Indies, and was looking good for her second straight big score after hitting two fours needlessly stepped across the line looking to drive one on the leg. The result: she fell leg before to Katherine Brunt for 10.
As if that was not enough to buck the setting in of a trend, India captain Mithali Raj upper- cut a rising delivery from Brunt into the hands of Anya Shrubsole at third man. With the top-three out and India neck deep in trouble at 29 for 3, the onus was now on newcomers Harmanpreet Kaur and Karuna Jain to deliver.
Sense finally prevailed and the pair put on a 106-run partnership for the fourth wicket, with boundaries surfacing sporadically. England’s bowlers were backed by some impeccable fielding with the women ever ready to get their clothes dirty in order to stop boundaries.
India had reached 100 in 26 overs, but things slowed down again after Jain’s leading edge flew to Laura Marsh at backward point off Brindle. Jain struck five boundaries and was out for 56 off 92. The hosts needed 133 from the last 15 overs and if ever there was a time for desperation – it was now.
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03:37:55 PM