Indian women`s cricket team 117/4 in chase of 181 against England

Wormsley (England): Opener Smriti Mandhana anchored the innings with a sedate half-century as the Indian women`s cricket team inched closer towards the 181-run target in the only four-day Test against England women, here on Friday.

Until last reports came in, India were 115 for four on the third day at the picturesque Sir Paul Getty`s Ground. Captain Mithali Raj was batting on 18 while Sikha Pandey was yet to open her account with India needing another 64 runs to win the match. Mandhana got out after making 51 off 108 balls. England, having started at overnight 110 for six in their second innings, were all out for 202 in 96.3 overs. Jenny Gunn, coming off a first-wicket haul, top-scored with 181-ball 62, hitting nine boundaries in the process. The experienced Sarah Taylor made 40 while skipper Charlotte Edwards could not score more than 20 runs. For the Indians, pace spearhead Jhulan Goswami returned impressive figures of 4.48, while there two wickets apiece for Shubhalakshmi Sharma, Ekta Bisht and Shikha Pandey. When their turn to bat came the second time in the match, India`s riposte was led by the 18-year-old Mandhana, who found the fence nine times during her 108-ball knock, laying a foundation for the visitors. India were going along nicely at 76 for no loss, when Thirush Kamini was trapped in front of the wicket by Kate Cross for 28. For addition on another six runs, India lost the key wicket of Mandhana, again to Cross, giving the hosts a glimmer of hope. Poonam Raut who was batting solidly along with Mithali was dismissed on 16 while next in Harmanpreet Kaur failed to open her account.