Press release —
India take the lead as Heather Knight takes top spot
England Women (150-8) lost by 38 runs to India Women (188-7)
Heather Knight became the most capped England Women's cricketer of all time only for India to spoil the party with an opening game win.
The visitors take a 1-0 lead in the three-match Vitality IT20 series to Bristol after a confident performance at the Ambassador Cruise Line Ground in Chelmsford.
They bounced back from a first ball wicket for Lauren Bell who had India captain Smriti Mandhana caught by captain Charlie Dean above her head at cover.
Shafali Verma fell in the first over of the game as well, caught by Alice Capsey as England looked to overpower India in the powerplay.
Yastika Bhatia and Jemimah Rodrigues had other ideas though as they took the attack to England with a partnership of 126 that was full of intent and clean-hitting strokeplay.
When Bhatia fell to a run-out for 54 India looked like they would top 200 with ease, but England stuck to their task with energy and skill to take wickets through the back end of the innings, including a world-class catch from Issy Wong over her shoulder running at full tilt.
A target of 189 was always going to take some chasing, but England were on course thanks to a fast start from Sophia Dunkley and then Amy Jones, promoted to No.3.
Jones was in supreme touch as she moved past 50 and added 64 with Knight who was playing in her 310th match across all formats for England, beating the previous record of 309 held by current head coach Charlotte Edwards.
Once Jones was dismissed for 67 with the score on 120, the innings stalled as further wickets fell in the push for quick runs and India's bowlers took full advantage.
England Women v India Women Vitality IT20 Series
Saturday May 30: 2nd Vitality IT20, England Women v India Women - Seat Unique Stadium, Bristol
Tuesday June 2: 3rd Vitality IT20, England Women v India Women - The Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton
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