U19 World Cup Final 2023: England U19s v India U19s Match Report
An unbeaten England took on the run scoring machine, India, in the inaugural ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup Final. JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom, South Africa, hosted the anticipated battle between the two sides, hungry for victory. Both sides stuck with the same sides as they fielded in the semi-finals.
India U19s Women XI: SS Sehrawat, Shafali Verma, SM Tiwari, G Trisha, RM Ghosh, HN Basu, TR Sadhu, MS Kashyap, Archana, P Chopra, SM Yadav
England U19s Women XI: G Scrivens, L Heap, N Holland, Seren Smale, CR Pavely, RL Macdonald-Gay, A Stonehouse, J Groves, EJ Anderson, Sophia Smale, HL Baker
After a winning streak, Grace Scrivens lost the toss, perhaps a slight premonition and India put England in to bat first. After the national anthems were belted out, the iconic opening duo of Grace Scrivens and Liberty Heap made their way to the crease. It was a nervy start for England as medium-pacer, Titas Sadhu, opened the bowling, removing Liberty Heap without scoring taking the catch off her own bowling. Holland’s short and explosive innings was brought to an end as she was bowled by Archana Devi, attempting to ramp as the ball was placed outside the off stump. Off-spinner, Devi, struck again as Gongadi Trisha took a full length diving catch to see the end of the England skipper Scrivens for 4. At the end of the powerplay, England had slipped to 22/3 at the end of the powerplay but an inswinging delivery form Sadhu saw Seren Smale heading back to the dug out for 3. After surviving a huge LBW appeal by India, Pavely was out next ball as she was controversially given out, despite getting an inside edge on the ball, leaving England 39/5 at the half way stage. Fielding was the standout element of this innings as Archana Devi took a one handed, full length diving catch at extra cover to get Chopra her second wicket, dismissing Ryana MacDonald-Gay for 19. Things went from bad to worse for England as a combination of a speedy direct hit by Soumya Tiwari and some hesitation by Josie Groves saw the Northamptonshire leg-spinner heading back to the pavilion. The experience of India’s senior players, Shafali Verma and Richa Ghosh showed as Hannah Baker was stumped off Verma’s bowling without scoring and England fell to 53/8. Sophia Smale gave the three lions hope as she struck a four to deep square leg, followed by another boundary down at deep fine leg. England were victims of a soft dismissal once again as Alexa Stonehouse fell for 11 bringing England’s last hope, Ellie Anderson, to the crease. Another soft dismissal, this time from slow left-arm spinner, Sonam Yadav meant that England concluded their innings 68 all-out.
With a low target of 69, Shafali Verma opened her account with a boundary, England opting to open with leg-spinner, Hannah Baker. England switched up their bowling order again as it was Welsh off-spinner, Sophia Smale who opened the bowling at the other end. After 2 overs, India were at a comfortable 16/0 but Hannah Baker had the breakthrough, Alexa Stonehouse taking a low catch at mid-on, Verma going for 15. It was a wicket maiden for Baker who soaked up the pressure. Captain Grace Scrivens saw off the destructive Shweta Sehrawat for 5 as she chipped up the ball, falling into the safe hands of Baker. Baker was close to her second wicket as the ball was blasted at Scrivens at first slip but it was fumbled. India’s Soumya Tiwari and Gongadi Trisha progressed the score to 48/2 at the half-way stage, requiring 21 runs to win. India’s dug-out prepared to charge onto the field in celebration but Alexa Stonehouse put their plans on pause as she bowled Trisha for 24. Tiwari hit the winning runs with scenes of ecstasy for the Indian camp. A historic win for India, sealing the victory against England by 7 wickets.
The next ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup is set to take place in Malaysia and Thailand in 2025. Further details have not yet been announced. Will India be able to defend their newfound title?
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