ECB Women Development XI edged past the India women by 44 runs in a warm-up fixture before the two national women’s teams locked horns in 5 T20 Internationals (T20Is) and 3 One Day Internationals (ODIs). The fixture highlighted a century from Maia Bouchier (104) and a steady half century from Emma Lamb (94). Losing side India also witnessed principled performance from Harleen Deol (100), alongside skipper Harmanpreet Kaur making a steady 54 and a fine spell from Shree Charani picking up 3/71.
Batting first in what turned out to be a run-fest, the England Development XI posted an imposing total of 353/5 in their 50 overs, setting the tone early with a commanding top-order display. The foundation was laid by a sensational 196-run opening stand between Emma Lamb and Maia Bouchier, who capitalized on an erratic Indian bowling.
Emma Lamb showcased composure with her half century of 94 off 92 balls, while Maia Bouchier played with flair and intent, reaching a superb 102 off 84 deliveries before walking back retired not out. Following their departure, skipper Hollie Armitage couldn’t make a significant impact, dismissed for just 11.
However, the middle order kept the momentum going as Alice Davidson-Richards played a mature knock of 42 off 49, and Paige Scholfield added firepower with a brisk 34 off 25, as the duo added a 56-run stand to help England breach the 350-mark. For India, Shree Charani stood out among the bowlers with a hard-fought 3/71 in her 9 overs, while Sneh Rana (1/47) and Radha Yadav (1/61) chipped in with crucial breakthroughs but were expensive under pressure.
In response, India’s top order crumbled early, losing Smriti Mandhana for 1 and Shafali Verma for 16, putting immediate pressure on the middle order. However, Harleen Deol rose to the occasion, holding the innings together with a sensational century (100 off 91 balls). She built a crucial 105-run partnership with Yastika Bhatia, who contributed a steady 32 off 45 deliveries, to steady India’s innings after early setbacks.
Harleen’s composed knock came to an end as she walked back retired not out after her century, passing the charge to skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, keeping hopes alive with a fighting 54 off 47. But once she fell, India’s middle order collapsed, with several batters failing to cross single digits.
Despite the collapse, late fireworks from Amanjot Kaur (43 off 32) and Arundhati Reddy (30* off 21) reignited hopes of a miraculous comeback. However, the required run-rate kept climbing, and India was eventually restricted to 335. England’s bowling was led by Ryana Macdonald-Gay who was effective with figures of 2/55, while Sarah Glenn (2/59) and Mahika Gaur (2/71) provided key breakthroughs at crucial junctures. Kirstie Gordon (1/58) and Mady Villiers (1/68) also contributed with the ball.
Following the 50-over contest, the two teams will face off again on June 25 in a 20-over game. While the England Development XI will aim to upset the full-strength India team once more, the visitors will look to secure a dominant win to set the tone for the blockbuster series ahead.
