CHELMSFORD: Nat Sciver-Brunt’s unbeaten century, followed by her bowling figures of 2-11, helped the England women’s team secure a commanding 178-run victory over Pakistan in the third ODI at County Ground on Wednesday.
England women’s team won the three-match ODI series 2-0 against Pakistan. Prior to that, the home side also clean sweep Pakistan in the T20I series.
Chasing a target of 303 runs, Pakistan crumbled to 124 all out in 29.1 overs. No Pakistan batter except Muneeba Ali (47) and Aliya Riaz (36) managed to challenge England’s bowling line-up.
Lauren Bell jolted Pakistan by removing both the opening batters, while Kate Cross took out Ayesha Zafar (13) when she looked threatening on the crease.
With Muneeba well set, Najiha Alivi (6) tried to heave Sciver-Brunt over mid-wicket but missed the ball, only to see her stumps shattered.
From 74-4, Pakistan lost the next five wickets for a mere fifty runs. Skipper Nida Dar did not walk out to bat due to a hamstring injury.
Ecclestone, who became the fastest bowler to hundred ODI wickets in women’s cricket, dismissed three batters in 4.1 overs.
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Sciver-Brunt and Bell picked up two wickets each while Cross and Charlie Dean bagged one wicket apiece.
Earlier, Sciver-Brunt’s (124 not out, 117b, 14x4s, 2x6s) magnificent unbeaten century headlined England’s innings.
She scored an unbeaten 14 from 117 balls with the help of 14 boundaries and two sixes.
The pace duo of Fatima Sana and Diana Baig removed English opening batters Tammy Beaumont (11) and Maia Bouchier (34) respectively.
Sciver-Brunt walked into bat with England 56-2 which soon became 70-3. She shared vital partnerships with Danni Wyatt (fourth wicket – 79), Amy Jones (fifth wicket – 66) and Alice Capsey (sixth wicket – unbeaten 87).
Nida Dar struck to end Danni Wyatt’s 44-run outing which included three fours and one six. Amy Jones contributed a run-a-ball 27 before Alice Capsey’s unbeaten 39 with the help of four boundaries, propelled England to 302-5.
Umm-e-Hani bagged two wickets while Nida, Fatima and Diana dismissed one batter each.
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