Innings India 333 for 5 (Kaur 143*, Deol 58, Mandhana 40) vs England
India asked the hosts to complete the first successful 300-plus run chase in women’s ODIs when they set a target of 334 to prevent Saturday’s tour finale at Lord’s from becoming a dead rubber, thanks to after Kaur’s unbeaten 143 off 111 balls which took the visitors to 333 for 5 at Canterbury.
Having won the toss and opted to bowl first in cool and cloudy conditions, England knew the key to drawing level in the three-match series and setting up a decider at the home of cricket was to negate the threat of India’s firing top order.
They started well enough when Kate Cross bowled Shafali Verma in the second over of the match with an excellent ball that shaped in, slid through the gate and clipped the bails.
Then, after Mandhana had swatted Sophie Ecclestone over the fence at wide long-on, it was Ecclestone who removed Mandhana for 40, beating her attempted sweep with one that spun back into the side of the back knee for lbw.
No sooner had Deol dispatched Ecclestone down the ground for six to move to 47 and Kaur brought up her half-century with a signature slog-sweep off Dean for six.
By the time Bell had Deol caught by Danni Wyatt, running round from square leg to deep midwicket, India were on track to post an imposing total and Kaur was into a stunning rhythm.
She unleashed another slog-sweep for four through deep midwicket off Ecclestone to move to 99 and brought up her century – her fifth in ODIs – off 100 balls on the next delivery, punching a single to long-off. Three more sixes followed, two off Kemp over the covers bookending a brutal slog-sweep off Ecclestone.
Kaur added the lion’s share as she and Deepti Sharma piled on another 71 runs at a staggering partnership run rate of 17.75, the highest for a 50-plus stand in women’s ODIs where data is available.
Kaur helped herself to 18 of the 19 runs Kemp conceded off the final over to complete her staggering batting masterclass.
In another worrying sign for England, talented allrounder Alice Capsey left the field after appearing to jam her finger into the ground while trying to stop a well-struck ball from Deol at midwicket in the 29th over and left England hoping she would be fit to bat when they began their lofty pursuit.