England suffer catastrophic batting collapse in chase of mediocre total of 149 against India

England suffer catastrophic batting collapse in chase of mediocre total of 149 against India as multi-format series goes to the wire

  • Tammy Beaumont and Heather Knight had England on 106-2 in the 14th over
  • But both women were dismissed in successive balls as the hosts collapsed
  • Knight was dismissed after Deepti Sharma inadvertently blocked her path
  • However, the England captain refused to blame her opponent after the incident 
  • India could secure a draw in the multi-format series with a draw in Chelmsford

England women made a mess of what should have been a comfortable run chase in the second Twenty20 international against India yesterday to set-up a multi-format decider.

It looked inevitable England would wrap up the three-pronged series at Hove when Tammy Beaumont and Heather Knight led them to 106 for two in the 14th over chasing 149 for their second successive T20 win.

But when both fell in successive balls, Knight to a freak run out when Deepti Sharma inadvertently obstructed her as the ball deflected off the bowler’s heel onto the stumps, England collapsed in the face of a fierce Indian fielding effort.

Heather Knight and Tammy Beaumont looked to be guiding England to a series win over India

But Deepti Sharma (right) ran Knight out after dismissing the England batter via her heel

But Deepti Sharma (right) ran Knight out after dismissing the England batter via her heel

Beaumont had gone a ball earlier after being out lbw - with her review proving unsuccessful

Beaumont had gone a ball earlier after being out lbw – with her review proving unsuccessful

India had set England a target of 149 to win thanks in large part to teenage star Shafali Verma

India had set England a target of 149 to win thanks in large part to teenage star Shafali Verma

They finished on 140 for eight to leave India victors by eight runs and still in with a chance of sharing the honours with a win in the final T20 at Chelmsford on Wednesday.

England, who looked certain of finishing on top when they won the first two one-day internationals after a drawn Test, lead 8-6 with one to play.

‘My run out changed the game but it was just one of those things and not at all deliberate by Deepti,’ said Knight. ‘We need to be a lot more ruthless and gave that away. We have to be better. We should not be losing a game like that.’