In a thrilling showdown shortened by inclement weather at the historic Lord’s venue, England level series took center stage, delivering a composed and commanding outing to outclass India by eight wickets and level the three-match series. The clash, delayed by nearly four hours and downsized to 29 overs per team, saw England level series dominate proceedings with their slow-bowling expertise.
“England Level Series” with Clinical performance by player
Choosing to utilize a spin-first strategy, the England level series reaped instant rewards. Six of India’s dismissals came courtesy of the turning ball, with Sophie Ecclestone delivering a standout effort, claiming 3 for 27. Her efforts were well supported by Em Arlott and Linsey Smith, who picked up two scalps each, limiting the Indian batters to a modest 143. In reply, the top-order of the England level series lineup ensured a calm pursuit of the target until weather once again intervened, forcing a revised goal of 115 runs from 24 overs — a target they reached with comfort and three overs in hand.
As part of the tactical shuffle, England level series made three key inclusions: Maia Bouchier, Em Arlott, and Linsey Smith. Among them, Arlott left an immediate impression, beginning her spell with a wicket-maiden by bowling Pratika Rawal with a pin-point yorker. Alongside Lauren Bell, she kept the scoring tight early on. India managed just 14 in the opening five overs, with Smriti Mandhana providing their first boundary only in the sixth.
Mandhana struck two more boundaries off Bell, while Harleen Deol briefly counter-attacked before falling to Ecclestone, who plucked a smart return catch. Mandhana continued to be India’s mainstay, guiding them to 50/2 after 10 overs. However, wickets tumbled steadily thereafter, all thanks to the brilliance of the England level series.
Ecclestone struck again by removing Harmanpreet Kaur, who inside-edged a delivery onto her stumps. Jemimah Rodrigues perished trying a soft chip back to Dean, and although Richa Ghosh was dropped in the same over, Ecclestone dismissed her soon after. Smith also joined the act, picking up the prized scalp of Mandhana and restricting the lower middle order alongside Arlott and Smith, highlighting the depth of the England level series arsenal.
Despite efforts from Deepti Sharma and Arundhati Reddy, including a couple of late boundaries and a dropped chance by England’s keeper, India’s innings faltered. Arlott returned to knock over Sneh Rana after being struck for a boundary, proving that the England level series wouldn’t allow any late surges.
In the second innings, the chase kicked off briskly as Amy Jones found a boundary early, and Tammy Beaumont blasted three consecutive fours in a single over. The opening trio of the England level series kept the pace high before India brought on their spinners. Yet, Beaumont continued her charge with a sweeping boundary off Charani.
There was a moment of confusion in the fifth over when India appealed for interference, but the decision favored the batter. Despite India slowing the pace with spin, the England level series powered ahead to 54/0 in 10 overs, setting the platform for a comfortable chase.
Beaumont eventually fell lbw to Rana while attempting a reverse shot, taking a review with her. But Jones seamlessly took charge, guiding the England level series forward with calculated strokes. Skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt provided solid backup, accelerating with sweeps and reverse-laps to keep the target in sight.
The score crossed the 100-run mark before rain reappeared, pausing the game when just a few deliveries were needed to make the match official. When the skies cleared, England level series needed just 13 more runs. Although Sciver-Brunt was bowled by a delivery that nipped back, Sophia Dunkley stepped up, flicking two boundaries off Goud to seal the triumph.
Thus, the England level series once again showcased its value, dismantling India with guile and precision — a display that ensures the phrase England level series will echo in fans’ minds long after the final ball. From smart team selections to flawless execution under pressure, the England level series dominated both ball and conditions at Lord’s. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwJFir6SXqU
When the Test series between India and England was renamed the Tendulkar-Anderson Trophy, the Indian great Sachin Tendulkar made the first call to the Pataudi family.
The series was originally called the Pataudi Trophy in honour of Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, who led India, and his father Iftikhar Ali who played for England and also captained India. Tendulkar wanted to retain the Pataudi connection with the series, and convinced the two cricket boards in India and England to award a trophy to the winning captain in Pataudi’s name – it would be called Pataudi Medal of Excellence.
“My first phone call was to the Pataudi family to inform them. And we spoke about how to keep the Pataudi legacy alive [with the India-England series]. I said that I will try my best,” Tendulkar told.
“I spoke to Mr. Jay Shah, the BCCI and the ECB and shared my ideas with them, and shared a few options. With a few phone calls with them, I felt they bought into the idea and graciously agreed [to retain Pataudi connection]. It was to support the whole thought process which ended up in having this Pataudi Medal of Excellence for the series-winning captain,” Tendulkar said.
Tendulkar explained the rationale for choosing Pataudi’s name for the captaincy. “I feel that the great man [Mansoor Ali Khan] was known for his leadership and is a good match. That the winning captain would be getting the Pataudi medal would be apt. So now, along with the new trophy, which would be named after both Anderson and I, we also have this Pataudi Medal of Excellence – and that feels really nice. So, the end outcome is good.”
Tendulkar said he felt honoured to be associated with the series. “It does feel really nice that the contribution of ours to our respective nations in Test cricket is recognised in this way, feels special. I had heard about the BCCI and ECB retiring the Pataudi Trophy some time ago. It was the decision taken by both the boards to name this trophy after Anderson and I, which is a completely new trophy.”
When the Test series between India and England was renamed the Tendulkar-Anderson Trophy, the Indian great Sachin Tendulkar made the first call to the Pataudi family.
The series was originally called the Pataudi Trophy in honour of Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, who led India, and his father Iftikhar Ali who played for England and also captained India. Tendulkar wanted to retain the Pataudi connection with the series, and convinced the two cricket boards in India and England to award a trophy to the winning captain in Pataudi’s name – it would be called Pataudi Medal of Excellence.
“My first phone call was to the Pataudi family to inform them. And we spoke about how to keep the Pataudi legacy alive [with the India-England series]. I said that I will try my best,” Tendulkar told.
“I spoke to Mr. Jay Shah, the BCCI and the ECB and shared my ideas with them, and shared a few options. With a few phone calls with them, I felt they bought into the idea and graciously agreed [to retain Pataudi connection]. It was to support the whole thought process which ended up in having this Pataudi Medal of Excellence for the series-winning captain,” Tendulkar said.
Tendulkar explained the rationale for choosing Pataudi’s name for the captaincy. “I feel that the great man [Mansoor Ali Khan] was known for his leadership and is a good match. That the winning captain would be getting the Pataudi medal would be apt. So now, along with the new trophy, which would be named after both Anderson and I, we also have this Pataudi Medal of Excellence – and that feels really nice. So, the end outcome is good.”
Tendulkar said he felt honoured to be associated with the series. “It does feel really nice that the contribution of ours to our respective nations in Test cricket is recognised in this way, feels special. I had heard about the BCCI and ECB retiring the Pataudi Trophy some time ago. It was the decision taken by both the boards to name this trophy after Anderson and I, which is a completely new trophy.”
When the Test series between India and England was renamed the Tendulkar-Anderson Trophy, the Indian great Sachin Tendulkar made the first call to the Pataudi family.
The series was originally called the Pataudi Trophy in honour of Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, who led India, and his father Iftikhar Ali who played for England and also captained India. Tendulkar wanted to retain the Pataudi connection with the series, and convinced the two cricket boards in India and England to award a trophy to the winning captain in Pataudi’s name – it would be called Pataudi Medal of Excellence.
“My first phone call was to the Pataudi family to inform them. And we spoke about how to keep the Pataudi legacy alive [with the India-England series]. I said that I will try my best,” Tendulkar told.
“I spoke to Mr. Jay Shah, the BCCI and the ECB and shared my ideas with them, and shared a few options. With a few phone calls with them, I felt they bought into the idea and graciously agreed [to retain Pataudi connection]. It was to support the whole thought process which ended up in having this Pataudi Medal of Excellence for the series-winning captain,” Tendulkar said.
Tendulkar explained the rationale for choosing Pataudi’s name for the captaincy. “I feel that the great man [Mansoor Ali Khan] was known for his leadership and is a good match. That the winning captain would be getting the Pataudi medal would be apt. So now, along with the new trophy, which would be named after both Anderson and I, we also have this Pataudi Medal of Excellence – and that feels really nice. So, the end outcome is good.”
Tendulkar said he felt honoured to be associated with the series. “It does feel really nice that the contribution of ours to our respective nations in Test cricket is recognised in this way, feels special. I had heard about the BCCI and ECB retiring the Pataudi Trophy some time ago. It was the decision taken by both the boards to name this trophy after Anderson and I, which is a completely new trophy.”
When the Test series between India and England was renamed the Tendulkar-Anderson Trophy, the Indian great Sachin Tendulkar made the first call to the Pataudi family.
The series was originally called the Pataudi Trophy in honour of Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, who led India, and his father Iftikhar Ali who played for England and also captained India. Tendulkar wanted to retain the Pataudi connection with the series, and convinced the two cricket boards in India and England to award a trophy to the winning captain in Pataudi’s name – it would be called Pataudi Medal of Excellence.
“My first phone call was to the Pataudi family to inform them. And we spoke about how to keep the Pataudi legacy alive [with the India-England series]. I said that I will try my best,” Tendulkar told.
“I spoke to Mr. Jay Shah, the BCCI and the ECB and shared my ideas with them, and shared a few options. With a few phone calls with them, I felt they bought into the idea and graciously agreed [to retain Pataudi connection]. It was to support the whole thought process which ended up in having this Pataudi Medal of Excellence for the series-winning captain,” Tendulkar said.
Tendulkar explained the rationale for choosing Pataudi’s name for the captaincy. “I feel that the great man [Mansoor Ali Khan] was known for his leadership and is a good match. That the winning captain would be getting the Pataudi medal would be apt. So now, along with the new trophy, which would be named after both Anderson and I, we also have this Pataudi Medal of Excellence – and that feels really nice. So, the end outcome is good.”
Tendulkar said he felt honoured to be associated with the series. “It does feel really nice that the contribution of ours to our respective nations in Test cricket is recognised in this way, feels special. I had heard about the BCCI and ECB retiring the Pataudi Trophy some time ago. It was the decision taken by both the boards to name this trophy after Anderson and I, which is a completely new trophy.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwJFir6SXqUhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHOmBV4js_E
