Sophie Ecclestone took a decisive step on from the turmoil that surrounded her during the winter with an impressive bowling performance during a rain-affected ODI at Lord’s.
After losing the first match of the three-game series in Southampton, England needed to win to set up a decider at Chester-le-Street on Tuesday. After a four-hour rain delay led to a 29-over match, they claimed an eight-wicket victory with 18 balls remaining.
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Ecclestone had a tumultuous Ashes winter, epitomised by her rejecting an interview with BBC commentator Alex Hartley, as England lost the series 16-0.
Ecclestone then missed the series against the West Indies through injury, and took a break from domestic cricket because of her mental health.
Having returned to the squad to face India, she performed impressively in Saturday’s spin-dominated affair, bowling tidily and picking up three wickets for 27 runs as the tourists struggled to work out how to pace their adjusted innings.
Ecclestone celebrates removing Richa Ghosh lbw – Alex Davidson/ECB
Ecclestone’s first dismissal was a caught and bowled. She took a low diving catch to dismiss Harleen Deol for 16, leaving India 46 for two.
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She then bowled Harmanpreet Kaur for seven and trapped Richa Ghosh lbw for just two, a spell that left India struggling at 72 for five.
England’s fielding has been scrutinised over the past year, and their performance at Lord’s will do little to ease the criticism of it. They dropped five catches as India put on 143 for eight.
Some of the chances were difficult, and some difficult ones were taken, but it is still a facet of the game that haunts the side. It has to be addressed before the 50-over World Cup in the autumn.
There was almost a moment of controversy in the second innings when a decision was sent to the third umpire to determine whether Tammy Beaumont had obstructed the field.
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Having attempted a quick single only for Amy Jones to send her back, it turned out Beaumont had already made her crease when she stuck a leg out to block the ball as it was thrown towards the stumps.
In her next over, Sharma pulled out of her delivery stride in a nod to the run-out at the non-striker’s end in September 2022 that secured India’s victory.
On that occasion, Charlie Dean was sent back to the dressing room as the final wicket to fall in a Mankad controversy that led to then-captain Heather Knight accusing India of lying. The usually calm Lord’s crowd erupted in boos, but there was no repeat on the sides’ Lord’s reunion.
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