Sciver-Brunt finds form as England overcome India

Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Nat Sciver-Brunt has been recovering from a calf injury suffered in April ICC Women's T20 World Cup warm-up, Cardiff England 171-6 (20 overs): Sciver-Brunt 57 (45); Patil 2-29 India 166 (19.5 overs): Ghosh 68 (36); Smith 3-42 Nat Sciver-Brunt scored 57 as England concluded their T20 World Cup preparation by holding their nerve in a thrilling five-run win over India. Chasing 172 in Cardiff, India slumped to 87-5, and with an unlikely 38 required off the last two overs, Richa Ghosh whacked 21 off Issy Wong's penultimate over and then a six and a four off Linsey Smith to leave six required off three balls. But Smith won the battle to have Ghosh stumped for a sensational 68 from 36 balls and then removed Renuka Singh Thakur to secure a confidence-boosting win before the World Cup opener against Sri Lanka on Friday. Sciver-Brunt spent welcome time in the middle, and alongside Amy Jones' fluent 64 at the top of the order and a late cameo of 30 from 12 balls from all-rounder Dani Gibson, England posted a competitive 171-6. The skipper had made just three in the previous warm-up against Australia, which England lost by five wickets, but has now alleviated some concerns about her lack of game time before the tournament. The Australia match on Monday was Sciver-Brunt's first international appearance this summer as she has been managing a calf injury. After Danni Wyatt-Hodge was dismissed early again for just three, the newly promoted Jones and Sciver-Brunt added 70 for the second wicket, before India wrestled back some control in the middle overs with three quick wickets. Jones was bowled by Shafali Verma before Alice Capsey and Freya Kemp also fell cheaply to spin, but the form of power-hitter Gibson at the death was another tick in the box for head coach Charlotte Edwards' gameplan. Her counter-attacking knock included four fours and a six with 19 coming from the final over to ensure England did not lose momentum after Sciver-Brunt fell with seven balls to go. Gibson also took two wickets as the hosts again rotated their bowlers, resting seamer Lauren Bell and giving more overs to Tilly Corteen-Coleman, Wong and Lauren Filer, while reserve keeper Capsey replaced Jones behind the stumps. Self-doubt to the summit - the rise of England's Smith Published23 hours agoA shock group-stage exit? T20 World Cup team guide Published2 hours agoWomen's T20 World Cup schedule, fixtures, times & results Published6 days agoEngland take momentum into World Cup openerAfter the defeat by favourites Australia gave England a bit of a wake-up call about the quality they can expect to see over the next few weeks, they responded with a fine all-round performance up until Ghosh's last-gasp fireworks. Collectively, England will be breathing a sigh of relief because of Sciver-Brunt's knock as it feels like the final piece of the puzzle has been laid in Edwards' plans. And crucially, after a rain delay resulted in a slower outfield and Sciver-Brunt had to push hard between the wickets for quick singles and twos, she looked untroubled by her calf and came through the test unscathed. There is some concern, however, around Wyatt-Hodge's form with a highest score of 29 in four innings, but the recent efforts of Jones, Capsey, Knight, Gibson and now Sciver-Brunt means that most batters go into Friday with confidence. Bar a dropped catch for Wong, England also outclassed their opponents in the field with teenager Corteen-Coleman's stunning grab at square leg to dismiss opener Smriti Mandhana the highlight. The 18-year-old also claimed the wickets of captain Harmanpreet Kaur and Radha Yadav to finish with impressive figures of 2-22 to press her case for selection, while fellow spinners Smith and Charlie Dean claimed 3-42 and 2-16 respectively. Notifications, social media and more with BBC Sport

Sciver-Brunt finds form as England overcome India

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