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Anya Shrubsole takes six wickets as England win World Cup after dramatic India collapse

Anya Shrubsole raises the trophy - AFP
Anya Shrubsole raises the trophy - AFP

Superior fitness, along with the bowling of Anya Shrubsole and Jenny Gunn, were the crucial factors that enabled England to beat India by nine runs and win their fourth World Cup. England’s men have yet to win any 50-over global tournament.

Shrubsole took the player-of-the-match award for her six wickets besides bringing off a run-out when India threatened to win their first World Cup. England’s superior fitness gave them the critical edge in running between wickets and saving runs in the field - fitness that was not only superior to India’s but to what England had before Mark Robinson took over as head coach 16 months ago.

Robinson, formerly Sussex’s coach, told his new players that physical fitness would lead to greater mental strength, which had been notably lacking as England lost major matches in various formats. But England’s new resilience was manifest when they beat South Africa by two wickets in the semi-final, before defending their total of 228 against India.

England's Anya Shrubsole celebrates taking the wicket of India's Jhulan Goswami  - Credit: AFP/Getty
England's Anya Shrubsole celebrates taking the wicket of India's Jhulan Goswami Credit: AFP/Getty

Lord’s boundaries were reduced in size, with a maximum of 65 yards on the Tavern side, but there was no reduction in tension. Indeed, the Champions Trophy, which the ICC had staged and England had hosted earlier this summer, had not produced a seriously tight finish, whereas this outcome was in the balance as India chased down 56 off their last 10 overs, and only 21 off their last four - although two were to be bowled by Shrubsole.

If England’s batting was no more than serviceable, it displayed more of the team-spirit which Robinson and his captain Heather Knight have bred. Nobody hit a six, whereas India struck three. But whereas India’s batsmen seemed rather disdainful of singles in the first half of their innings - waiting instead to play big shots - England ran hard throughout, especially Sarah Taylor and Nat Sciver in their third-wicket stand of 83.

On a morning that was bright until the need for floodlights, England had made a similar start until both openers made the cardinal sin - especially in a final - of getting out when set. Lauren WInfield was two short of her top tournament score of 26 when bowled behind her legs, while Tammy Beaumont spooned a very slow full toss no more than 50 yards legside, the sort of dismissal which has to be eliminated for women’s cricket to be a mass spectator sport.

Soon it was 63 for three and a familiar tale of England stalling against India’s spinners, of three different styles, and little pace on the ball to work with as they bowled in the early to mid-40s mph, and a partnership yet to build.

England's Nat Sciver works to leg during her 51 - Credit: Getty
England's Nat Sciver works to leg during her 51 Credit: Getty

Confined to singles at first - five overs without a boundary - Taylor and Sciver gradually raised the run rate above four an over. Taylor’s footwork saved her from being tied down by the spinners, so she was not compelled to try high-risk shots across the line. Sciver was sketchier at first but together they gave England a platform - and they were to combine again in running out Mithali Raj.

There would not have been many dry eyes in the house, barring the near-empty pavilion perhaps, if Taylor had made a century, given all the anxiety she has been through, but she faintly edged a leg-glance. This was the first of three fatal injections by Jhulan Goswami, India’s fastest bowler at around 70 mph, who had conceded only nine runs in her five-over opening spell.

Goswami was on a hat-trick after trapping Fran Wilson, leg-before to a yorker, the ball after dismissing Taylor. She was then switched to the pavilion end and dismissed Sciver too, advancing at but missing a straight one: England 164 for six, with 12 overs left, and another partnership wanted to reach par.

England's Natalie Sciver (R) celebrates after catching India's Deepti Sharma (L) during the ICC Women's World Cup cricket final between England and India at Lord's - Credit: AFP/Getty
England's Natalie Sciver (R) celebrates after catching India's Deepti Sharma (L) during the ICC Women's World Cup cricket final between England and India at Lord's Credit: AFP/Getty

Katherine Brunt, having been only a pace bowler, has reinvented herself as an all-rounder and made some forthright hits, as did Jenny Gunn. Thanks to them, England scored 60 off their last 10 overs but even on a slow pitch that was a little below par. But England’s fielding began to peg India back - India only 31 for one off 10 overs - and Sciver combined with Taylor to bring off an exemplary run out when the former swooped at midwicket and the latter caught the ball in front of the stumps before breaking them.

A third-wicket stand of 95 off 130 balls enabled India to rally after the loss of their captain. Putnam Raut repeated the 86 which she had made in the opening qualifier against England that India had won: the highlight was her driving over extra-cover, as she scored both sides of the wicket, whereas Harmanpreet Kaur was almost exclusively legside in her 51 off 80 balls.

Shrubsole brought England back into the game after Taylor had missed a hard stumping chance that Raut had offered when 64 - Laura Marsh’s offbreak went between bat and pad - and after Knight had dropped Krishnamurthy Veda at extra-cover. In powering to 35, Veda did wonders, but so did Taylor in taking Shrubsole’s throw from cover for a second run-out.

India needed 11 off two overs with two wickets left. Shrubsole had Deepti Sharma caught and thought she had Poonam Yadav caught, only Gunn missed a sitter at mid-off. “I thought she had dropped the World Cup,” Knight said afterwards. But Shrubsole hit the stumps for a third time with her next ball and England Women were home at the home of English cricket.

6:28PM

Champions

England did it the hard way, but they did it. Dropped catches, missed stumpings, run outs, batting collapses. The absolute works. This final had it all. At the end of it England won by the finest of margins, but that won't matter a jot.

What a journey the women's game has been on. As Mark Butcher has just pointed out, no one was interested in the final in Sydney four years ago after England had crashed out at the semi-finals. They've since turned pro, replaced the seemingly timeless Charlotte Edwards with Heather Knight as captain, and this new team have won the World Cup at their first attempt. Remarkable scenes; emotional times. Former England captain Clare Taylor is choking back tears during her TV interview.

I'll leave it there for now, but do stay tuned for Scyld Berry's report from Lord's.

6:22PM

Heather Knight, World Cup winning captain:

I can't stop smiling. The girls have been outstanding. We've made it hard for ourselves, but we've won some tight games. All that we've done in the last 18 months was to deal with situations where the heat was on.

Anya Shrubsole, what a hero. What a day! They were batting brilliantly. Punam was superb, they got a few partnerships. The girls really held their nerve, apart from the drop of Jenny Gunn which was stressful.

Thanks to everyone for their support. Credit to the ECB and ICC.

England's Heather Knight holds the World Cup aloft at Lord's
England's Heather Knight holds the World Cup aloft at Lord's

6:20PM

"This is a huge boost for all the women cricketers"

India's captain Mithali Raj is magnanimous in defeat

Yes, I'm proud. It wasn't easy for England but credit to them for keeping their nerve. There was a time where the match was in the balance, but we panicked. I'm very proud of the girls. They didn't make any match look easy for the other team.

Thank you to the crowd for turning up for a women's cricket final. This is a huge boost for all the women cricketers.

Jhulan [Goswami] is an experienced bowler and has always delivered when the team has needed her to. It could've been a match-winning performance, but I knew England have depth.

All the youngsters tried their best, I'm sure this experience will help them. Now, people back home will have a different perspective about women's cricket

The respective captains Heather Knight (R) stands alongside Mithali Raj (R) during the post-match presentations at Lord's - Credit: Getty
The respective captains Heather Knight (R) stands alongside Mithali Raj (R) during the post-match presentations at Lord's Credit: Getty

6:09PM

Player of the Match and Player of the Tournament...

Anya Shrusbole is awarded the former, Tammy Beaumont, who finishes as the tournament's leading run scorer with 410 runs, the latter.

 "Robbo [England coach Mark Robinson] had to remind me that I've been doing well," says Beaumont. "So many of the girls stood up. It's been a great team performance. Myself and Lauren got off to a good start but we thought we threw it away. But our batting order has been superb. Jenny Gunn and Katherine Brunt were excellent. Full credit to Raut and Kaur, they put on an exceptional partnership. In my head it was never in doubt, we knew one wicket could change things. It was back in April that we all came here to the Lord's tour. Lot of hard work went into it, all for just this moment."

6:00PM

A final fit for the occasion

A quite remarkable turnaround. India were cruising with Raut and Kaur in the middle. Even when Kaur was dismissed for 51 by Alex Hartley, Krishnamurthy looked to be battering India to an early victory, but when Raut was removed by Shrubsole for 86, India went to pieces. From 191-3 to 219 all out. An incredible collapse and a remarkable bowling performance from Anya Shrubsole.

Player of the match presentations coming up. I think I have an inkling as to who that might be...

5:55PM

More English reaction

Wicketkeeper Sarah Taylor:

Probably there couldn't have been a better comeback. Proud of the girls, it's been a roller coaster year for me, but to be part of this team is simply incredible. For me, it was a case of being healthy and see how I go, I was just lucky to be here for the World Cup. India played exceptionally well. Good luck to them in the future.

England's Anya Shrubsole, centre, celebrates with teammates as England win the ICC Women's World Cup 2017 final against India at Lord's - Credit: AP
England's Anya Shrubsole, centre, celebrates with teammates as England win the ICC Women's World Cup 2017 final against India at Lord's Credit: AP

All-rounder Jenny Gunn:

It's brilliant to be here at Home of Cricket, in front of family and friends. This is one of the best teams I've played with.

Batter Fran Wilson:

We knew we'd be able to pull through. We've done it before. Credit to Anya. I can't tell you what was going through my head. Past experiences plus knowing 20,000 people behind you kept us calm. It was amazing, an incredible experience. I can't imagine life after the World Cup.

5:52PM

"Anya Shrubsole, what a hero"

Here, here, Alex Hartley:

I can't believe it. This is what we've been working for. It's a dream come true for all of us. I've never stepped onto Lord's before in a game. Absolutely fantastic that we managed to pull it off. Anya Shrubsole, what a hero.

England's Alex Hartley celebrates the wicket of India's Sushma Verma - Credit: PA
England's Alex Hartley celebrates the wicket of India's Sushma Verma Credit: PA

5:49PM

"It's a dream you never think comes true"

England's Anya Shrubsole, who finished with figures of 9.4-0-46-6:

I'm lost for words. For a while it looked like we were out of it, but that's the beauty of this team. We never give up. It's been a fitting final for what has been a brilliant World Cup. It's a final, there's huge amount of pressure. We never let the run rate get away of us. I didn't even imagine I'd be here, it's a dream you never think comes true. To come back to a venue where I first came in 2001, as a World Cup winner is amazing.

England's Anya Shrubsole celebrates taking the wicket of India's Jhulan Goswami - Credit: AFP/Getty
England's Anya Shrubsole celebrates taking the wicket of India's Jhulan Goswami Credit: AFP/Getty

5:47PM

Scorecards

What a collapse that was from India.

Batting card
Batting card
Bowling card
Bowling card

5:46PM

Wild scenes at Lord's

Let's start with Jenny Gunn. Gayakwad spooned the simplest, and I mean the simplest, of catches to Gunn at mid off. But Gunn, with all her experience, drops it.

The very next ball, Shrubsole goes full and straight and Gayakwad is bowled. England lose themselves in a big pile up in the middle of Lord's. They've just won the World Cup in front of 28,000 people in the most extraordinary of circumstances.

5:40PM

ENGLAND WIN THE WORLD CUP BY 9 RUNS

This is a madness. Shrubsole bowls Gayakwad. She has six-fer. But that's not even the whole of it.

ENGLAND WIN
ENGLAND WIN

5:38PM

WICKET! Sharma c Sciver b Shrubsole 14 (12) FOW 218/9

Sharma goes for the big shot down the ground and gets absolutely none of it. Well, just enough of it for it to plonk into the hands of Nat Sciver at short mid wicket. This game is England's to lose now. But then again India have already lost it once.

5:37PM

Over 48: IND 218/8 (Sharma 14*, Poonam 0*)

So it looks like Gunn and Shrubsole to bowl the final three overs for England. India doing what they should have down five overs ago and just looking to win this in singles. They're helped out by a leg side wide from Gunn. Then surprise, surprise, there's a suicidal run out. This game makes a mockery of punditry.

India need 11 from 12.

5:35PM

WICKET! Pandey run out (Shrubsole) 4 (8) FOW 218/8

Diabolical running from India. Pandey is sent back by Sharma. Shrubsole can't keep out of the action. She dives down and tosses the ball back to Taylor who does the rest. Never a single in that.

Pandey run out
Pandey run out

5:31PM

Over 47: IND 215/7 (Sharma 13*, Pandey 3*)

Productive over for India. Seven from Shrubsole's ninth. 14 needed from 18 balls. Has the game swung back India's way? Charlotte Edwards says her nerves have had it. She's not the only one.

Heather Knight and Katherine Brunt look on anxiously as India close in on their target - Credit: Getty
Heather Knight and Katherine Brunt look on anxiously as India close in on their target Credit: Getty

5:29PM

NOT OUT

This is tight, really tight. In by a frame. Sharma just got her foot back down in time.

5:27PM

UMPIRE REVIEW

Possible stumping. Called a wide, but Sharma might have had her foot raised and Taylor whips off the bails.

5:25PM

Over 46: IND 208/7 (Sharma 9*, Pandey 1*)

Is Deepti Sharma's India's last hope? She belts Alex Hartley back over her head for four from the first ball of the over. India might have hoped Goswami's experience could guide them home. It wasn't to be. They need 21 from 24 balls. Three wickets in hand.

5:22PM

Over 45: IND 201/7 (Sharma 3*, Pandey 0*)

Shrubsole completes her over. Was it a match-winning over?

Tense faces in the Indian dugout. Deep breathes required.

Any Shrubsole of England appeals successfully for the wicket of Punam Raut - Credit: Getty
Any Shrubsole of England appeals successfully for the wicket of Punam Raut Credit: Getty

5:20PM

WICKET! Goswami b Shrubsole 0 (1) FOW 201/7

What a nut! As good a yorker as you could hope to bowl. Right on the line and Goswami's leg stump is pinned back. First baller. Anya Shrubsole. Take. A. Bow.

5:19PM

WICKET! Krishnamurthy c Sciver b Shrubsole 35 (34) FOW 200-6

As I type the words "a lot riding on the wicket of Krishnamurthy now", the India no.5 skies an attempted slog sweep high into the London sky, Nat Sciver steadies herself under it and pouches the catch. Two new batters at the crease. Are England favourites from here? What a turnaround.

5:15PM

Over 44: IND 198/5 (Sharma 1*, Krishnamurthy 34*)

It's all happening out there. Pressure, pressure. Another mix up and a run out appeal goes upstairs but Sharma survives. In all the madness Krishnamurthy continues to thump boundaries whenever she pleases, this time taking Hartley inside out over extra cover. She gets luck off the final ball, top edging a pull that lands short of long leg.

31 still needed from 36.

5:12PM

WICKET! Verma b Hartley 0 (2) FOW 196/5

Verma is bowled round her legs. A slight deflection of her gloves as she goes to sweeps. We have ourselves a ball game.

5:11PM

Over 43: IND 191/4 (Verma 0*, Krishnamurthy 28*)

Brilliant hitting from Krishnamurthy. She throws her hands outside off to flay Shrubsole's first ball to the point boundary, then she plays an even better shot down the ground for four more. She knows that Raut will try to bat through, so she's taking all the pressure off her by taking a risk or two herself. But then Raut is out! Game changer!

5:09PM

WICKET! Raut lbw b Shrubsole 86 (115) FOW 191/4

Raut is trapped in front by Anya Shrubsole. It looks pretty adjacent, but after a long discussion Raut calls for the review. No matter, she's out of time and she has to go. Huge, huge breakthrough for England. A glimmer of hope. A standing ovation for Raut, who departs for the same score she made against England in the group stage.

Replays shows the review/non-review was an irrelevance.

Raut lbw
Raut lbw

5:05PM

Over 42: IND 182/3 (Raut 86*, Krishnamurthy 19*)

Lord Gower that was close to the leg stump. Krishnamurthy backs away to give herself room against Hartley, but the ball follows her and misses her pegs by an absolute whisker. Hands on heads from the England's fielders. Four singles from the over.

India need 47 from 48.

5:01PM

Over 41: IND 178/3 (Raut 84*, Krishnamurthy 17*)

A top-edged sweep from Punam Raut balloons agonisingly over the fielder on the 45 and India run two. Marsh finishes her allotment with figures of 10-0-40-0. Tidy enough, although hardly incisive.

India need 51 from 54.

4:59PM

Over 40: IND 173/3 (Raut 80*, Krishnamurthy 16*)

Jenny Gunn has a funny old action, throwing her left arm out in no particular direction before her bowling arm sort of loops over the back of her head. Unorthodox, plenty of pace off the ball, a couple sent down in the mid-40s. Perhaps a bit too slow, and India's batters can just wait on it and pick their spot. Plenty of singles and a three over cover brings seven from the over.

Required run rate 5.30 as we enter the final ten.

India's Veda Krishnamurthy hits out during the ICC Women's World Cup Final at Lord's - Credit: PA
India's Veda Krishnamurthy hits out during the ICC Women's World Cup Final at Lord's Credit: PA

4:51PM

Over 39: IND 166/3 (Raut 75*, Krishnamurthy 15*)

Good over from Marsh. Just the single from it. Raut looks like she has a bit of cramp. While she's getting stretched out a rather muddled chant does the rounds: "Let's go England, India!" Talk about sitting on the fence. Do better, Lord's.

India require 63 from 66. If England can keep squeezing, that will keep rising. India favourites at the moment, but if it creeps above six an over and England can grab another wicket, you never know.

4:47PM

Over 38: IND 165/3 (Raut 74*, Krishnamurthy 15*)

Right on cue, Jenny Gunn is back on. And it's a drop! Knight the captain puts down Krishnamurthy at short extra. Not a difficult chance. She had to move slightly to her right but it wasn't exactly travelling and it was at a comfortable catching height. England really have to take all their chances if they are to have any hope of winning this game from here, and they spurned two already.

Heather Knight drops Khrishnamurthy
Heather Knight drops Khrishnamurthy

4:43PM

Over 37: IND 161/3 (Raut 73*, Krishnamurthy 12*)

A misfield from Hartley at short third man and Raut gets four without having to do anything more than a push. England haven't been able to squeeze India like they might have liked since the fall of Kaur. India carry on their merry way. Six runs coming from Marsh's over.

Time for Knight to pull the trigger?

4:40PM

Over 36: IND 155/3 (Raut 68*, Krishnamurthy 11*)

Krishnamurthy looks a million dollars out there. Only a superb piece of fielding from Jenny Gunn at long on stops her from picking up a boundary from the third ball of Hartley's over, but she won't be denied two balls later. She skips down the track and belts one through the covers for four. A wide, a two and a single means India take 10 from the over. A costly one from Hartley, who hasn't quite been her miserly self.

4:37PM

Over 35: IND 145/3 (Raut 65*, Krishnamurthy 5*)

Suddenly a lot rests on the diminutive shoulders of Punam Raut. If England can snag her, the cat really will be set among the pigeons. Heather Knight thinks Laura Marsh can be that cat. But Krishnamurthy is no pigeon. She biffs Marsh over her head for a well-struck four. 

Missed stumping! Great delivery from Marsh, sharp turn beats Raut by the inside edge, but Sarah Taylor, of all people, misses it with the opener miles out of her ground. In Taylor's defence she would have been unsighted by Raut's charge, and the ball did deviate considerably, but you might expect a keeper of her calibre to take that. Huge chance goes begging for England.

Raut missed stumping
Raut missed stumping

4:31PM

Over 34: IND 138/3 (Raut 63*, Krishnamurthy 0*)

Krishnamurthy coming in ahead of Sharma at five. England suddenly with a bit of buzz about them. Sharp work from Heather Knight at short extra stops a single and nearly affects a run out.

How badly did England need that? A bit of a throwaway from Kaur in the end. No need to go aerial with two fielders out.

4:27PM

WICKET! Kaur c Beaumont b Hartley 51 (80) FOW 138/3

Huge wicket for England. Kaur slog sweeps Hartley straight to Beaumont at deep square leg. Will India get their wobble on?

4:26PM

Over 33: IND 136/2 (Raut 62*, Kaur 50*)

"Eww that's dreadful," cries Sarah Taylor as Kaur shanks an ugly hoik into the leg side for one.

Brunt going through her repertoire now, trying all sorts of slower balls and cutters. A back-of-the-hand looper nearly does for Kaur, who misses it completely but the ball was sliding down leg. Kaur brings up her fifty from 78 deliveries with a tickle to fine leg.

Harmanpreet Kaur brings up her fifty off 78 deliveries - Credit: Getty
Harmanpreet Kaur brings up her fifty off 78 deliveries Credit: Getty

4:22PM

Over 32: IND 133/2 (Raut 61*, Kaur 48*)

Hartley replacing Shrubsole for England, whose likeliest wicket-taking method looks like a run out at the moment. More confusion between Raut and Kaur nearly has the latter dismissed at the non-strikers end, but the throw is wide.

Raut then skips down the wicket and flays Hartley inside out over cover for four. She's oozing class, is the India opener.

4:18PM

Over 31: IND 127/2 (Raut 56*, Kaur 47*)

Katherine Brunt returns to try and prize these two apart, but she's not helped out by her fielders - a misfield allows India to run an overthrow. More ones and twos before an lbw shout off the final ball of the over, more out of desperation than anything else. Going well down leg. The game starting to slip away from England now.

India need 102 to win from 114 balls.

4:13PM

Over 30: IND 120/2 (Raut 50*, Kaur 46*)

Shrubsole continues Punam Raut brings up her fifty off 75 deliveries from the final ball of the over. Six runs from it in total. England seem to be squeezing in the odd cheap over here and there, but India chipping away at the required rate with ease right now.

4:10PM

Over 29: IND 114/2 (Raut 46*, Kaur 45*)

Sciver too straight again and Kaur flicks one fine for four more. A leg bye and a single brings six from the over in total. India going at 4s, the run rate still hovering around 5.5. You'd have them as definite favourites with these two still at the crease.

Punam Raut executes a paddle sweep during her partnership with Harmanpreet Kaur  - Credit: Getty
Punam Raut executes a paddle sweep during her partnership with Harmanpreet Kaur Credit: Getty

4:05PM

Over 28: IND 108/2 (Raut 46*, Kaur 40*)

Anya Shrubsole back into the attack for England, Knight removing herself from the attack sharpish. A good move, you sense. England need their strike bowlers to deliver for them now. Taylor still up to the stumps, Shrubsole attacking them. Two singles from the over. The partnership for the third wicket now stands at 65.

4:02PM

Over 27: IND 106/2 (Raut 45*, Kaur 39*)

This isn't too clever from England. They have sweepers out on the legside boundary to Kaur, which I suppose is reasonable, but given that's her strength, wouldn't it be worth bowling wide of off and asking her to fetch it? As it is, the field encourages Sciver to bowl into her pads and Kaur swivels on a short one and helps herself to four more. Something needs to change for England, otherwise India will win this at a canter.

3:59PM

Over 26: IND 99/2 (Raut 44*, Kaur 33*)

Knight brings herself into the attack. If you want something done etc. She starts well enough but then tries to give one some air and gets it all wrong, throwing down a high full toss that is called for a no ball. Raut chips the free hit over extra cover for a couple. Another full bunger to end the over that Raut squirts down to third man for two. Messy start from the England skipper.

Kaur's wagon wheel is extraordinary. If I've read it correctly, all of her 33 runs have come on the leg side. Literally all of them. Hang it outside off, England?

3:54PM

Over 25: IND 92/2 (Raut 39*, Kaur 32*)

Heather Knight turns to Nat Sciver in search of a breakthrough. She nearly does the job, striking Raut on the front pad and England go up for the lbw. Not out is the onfield decision, and Sarah Taylor shakes her head straight away. Given the situation Knight might have been tempted, but she's wise to trust the experience of Taylor behind the sticks. 

Four singles from the over.

Sciver lbw shout
Sciver lbw shout

3:50PM

Over 24: IND 88/2 (Raut 37*, Kaur 30*)

After two further singles from the start of Hartley's over, Kaur goes for another big shot to leg, launching a slog sweep which has Fran Wilson interested for a moment, but the ball sails over her and into the stands. Kaur follows it up with a single pushed to long on. Sensible batting. Good cricket. England need a wicket.

Harmanpreet Kaur slog sweeps for six - Credit: Getty
Harmanpreet Kaur slog sweeps for six Credit: Getty

3:47PM

Over 23: IND 79/2 (Raut 36*, Kaur 22*)

Raut and Kaur doing what Taylor and Sciver did for England. Rebuilding after a shaky start, using their feet to the spinners and rotating the strike well. Four runs from Marsh's sixth. She's gone for 21 so far.

3:44PM

Over 22: IND 75/2 (Raut 34*, Kaur 20*)

Good over from Hartley. Kaur looking to break loose with a couple of big shots to leg but Hartley has her fielders in the right places, then darts one down when she sees Kaur advancing. Just the two singles. Cat and mouse.

3:42PM

Over 21: IND 73/2 (Raut 33*, Kaur 19*)

England's off-spinner continues, and India won't allow themselves to get bogged down in the Marsh, pilfering for singles from the over. Kaur beginning to look a little more fluent now.

India's Harmanpreet Kaur goes big - Credit: PA
India's Harmanpreet Kaur goes big Credit: PA

3:38PM

Over 20: IND 69/2 (Raut 31*, Kaur 17*)

Sarah Taylor almost pulls off an absolute worldie. Seeing Raut get down to sweep, she moves across to leg in anticipation and tumbles to her right as Raut spoons the ball just past her outstretched glove. Hartley just smiles back at her and laughs "you were never going to catch that, Sarah."

Kaur-blimey! Harmanpreet goes big, really big, over long on for six from the final ball of the over. Danger signs for England. 10 from the over.

3:34PM

Over 19: IND 59/2 (Raut 28*, Kaur 9*)

It's that sort of period at the moment. All a little ho-hum. Three singles and a wide from Marsh's fourth over. Kaur is 9 off 33 balls. Saving herself for now.

3:31PM

Over 18: IND 55/2 (Raut 27*, Kaur 8*)

Alex Hartley into the attack with her left-arm spin. She starts around the wicket to Kaur, who dots out the first five balls before sweeping the sixth for to deep square for a single. Hartley economical as ever. England well on top of the run rate at the moment. Required rate has climbed to 5.44. Not out of control just yet, but India won't want to allow it to creep over a run-a-ball.

3:25PM

Over 17: IND 54/2 (Raut 27*, Kaur 7*)

Raut looking in decent touch, stepping down the wicket to ease a single to mid on then driving through point for a couple. Kaur gets her score moving again with a single down the ground.

3:21PM

Over 16: IND 50/2 (Raut 24*, Kaur 6*)

India need to find a way to score off Jenny Gunn. She bowls out her second and England's fourth maiden of the innings. Kaur not really looking to rotate the strike; it's four or nowt for her at the moment.

3:19PM

Over 15: IND 50/2 (Raut 24*, Kaur 6*)

Marsh offers Kaur a juicy full toss but Kaur only just manages to shank it over the mid on fielder and it trickles away for four. A single from the penultimate ball of the over brings up India's fifty. A big appeal against Raut from the final ball, but she's got a big stride in as she plays the sweep and it looked to be drifting down leg. England opt against the review.

Nat Sciver and Sarah Taylor celebrate after collaborating in the run out of India captain Mithali Raj - Credit: Getty
Nat Sciver and Sarah Taylor celebrate after collaborating in the run out of India captain Mithali Raj Credit: Getty

3:15PM

Over 14: IND 45/2 (Raut 24*, Kaur 1*)

Harmanpreet Kaur is the new batter, fresh from that outstanding knock of 171 not out against Australia in the semi-final. She took her time to get going against the Aussies, so England will want to nip her out early. Another tight over from Gunn. Two singles from it.

3:14PM

Over 13: IND 43/2 (Raut 23*, Kaur 0*)

Laura Marsh's first over is a maiden. Plus the wicket from that extraordinary run out. England on top.

3:10PM

WICKET! Raj run out (Sciver) 17 (31) FOW 43/2

Wow wow wow. I can't quite believe what I've just seen. Raut nudges one into the leg side and calls Raj through for a single. The India skipper just doesn't seem that interested in the whole thing. She jogs it through, doesn't bother to stretch out to make her ground and she's out by yards. It wasn't as if she was never going to get there, she just didn't even try. The captain. In a World Cup Final. She wasn't backing up. I'm baffled.

Mithali Raj is run out by Nat Sciver
Mithali Raj is run out by Nat Sciver

3:06PM

Over 12: IND 43/1 (Raut 23*, Raj 17*)

Jenny Gunn-barrel straight. Nothing on offer, bar two singles.

England's Katherine Brunt shows her frustration  - Credit: PA
England's Katherine Brunt shows her frustration Credit: PA

3:04PM

Over 11: IND 41/1 (Raut 22*, Raj 16*)

Raut breaks England's stranglehold, picking a Sciver slower ball and slapping it to cow for four. Then Raj times the ears off another and a push through cover point brings her a boundary of her own. Chuck in a couple of singles and it's ten from the over. Finally some momentum for India.

3:01PM

Over 10: IND 31/1 (Raut 17*, Raj 11*)

Jenny Gunn will complete the power play for England with another maiden. It's always a good sign for the bowling side when the camera man starts picking out famous faces in the crowd. A few actors that I've never heard of. Then the director pans to a sharply-dressed blonde woman and Alan Wilkin thinks it's Nicole Kidman. I can't stress how much she didn't look like Nicole Kidman, and definitely wasn't Nicole Kidman. Time for a needless reminder that Australia didn't make the final.

Judy Murray is also in the house. She looks as excited as ever.

Judy Murray in attendance at Lord's
Judy Murray in attendance at Lord's

2:55PM

Over 9: IND 31/1 (Raut 17*, Raj 11*)

Nat Sciver replacing Katherine Brunt from the Pavilion End. Perhaps a reflection that Brunt had quite hit her stride in that opening spell. Sarah Taylor up to the stumps and we're into wicket-to-wicket wobbler mode. Maiden over. Excellent start from Sciver.

Punam Raut hits Anya Shrubsole down the ground - Credit: Getty
Punam Raut hits Anya Shrubsole down the ground Credit: Getty

2:53PM

Over 8: IND 31/1 (Raut 17*, Raj 11*)

Raut looking to take the attack to Shrubsole. She gets down on one knee to biff Shrubsole back over her head for the second time in the match and this time it goes all the way for the first six of the match. Just the single added from the rest of the over as Shrusbole limits the damage.

2:50PM

Over 7: IND 24/1 (Raut 10*, Raj 11*)

"Katherine, what are you doing?" asks Katherine Brunt after she strays onto Raj's pads and the Indian captain tucks it away for four more. She looks to be struggling a little for rhythm at the moment. She has her head in her hands after sending down a short wide one that Raj can only cut to the point fielder. Dot ball, Katherine. Dot ball is a good ball etc. etc.

A good comeback from Brunt and the rest of the over is dotted out. Join the dots etc. etc. Plenty of chirp from England's fielders. Hopefully with something more original than that.

India batter Smrtri Mandhana is bowled for 0 - Credit: Getty
India batter Smrtri Mandhana is bowled for 0 by England's Anya Shrubsole Credit: Getty

2:45PM

Over 6: IND 20/1 (Raut 10*, Raj 7*)

Shrubsole already going cross-seam, bowling a better, straighter line. Anyone else watch Paul Collingwood take four-fer for Durham in the Blast the other day? He'd love to bowling on a pitch like this. Cutters, dobbers, it's one for the plodders. Just the two runs from Shrubsole's over. Tidy stuff.

2:42PM

Over 5: IND 18/1 (Raut 9*, Raj 6*)

That third man area is becoming a productive one for India. England's line perhaps a little too wide at the moment, offering a simple scoring option for the Indian batters. Brunt seems to have that sorted but then errs wide again and Raj just leans on it and it runs away for four. Wonderful timing. All grace and elegance from Raj.

2:39PM

Over 4: IND 13/1 (Raut 8*, Raj 2*)

Punam Raut blocks out the first two balls of Shrubsole's second over and then takes everyone by surprise, stepping down the wicket and belting one back over the bowler's head for a one-bounce four. Not much wrong with the delivery, a bit of shape in, just full of a length. Quality shot. Another single to third man and it's five from the over.

Anya Shrubsole - Credit: Getty
Anya Shrubsole celebrates after bowling Smrtri Mandhana Credit: Getty

2:35PM

Over 3: IND 8/1 (Raut 3*, Raj 2*)

Brunt hanging the ball outside off for now. Waiting for the India batters to blink first. A couple of singles worked to third man.

2:32PM

Over 2: IND 6/1 (Raut 2*, Raj 1*)

Shrubsole starts with a leg side wide. Plan looks like it's to bowl straight at Raut. Protection on the leg side and Shrubsole is onto her pads again, but Raut works it to fine leg for a single. Shrubsole struggling slightly with the left-hand/right-hand combination, firing another two leg side wides past Mandhana. But she gets it right next ball. And how! Mandhana is castled. If you want to visualise how it happened, think Vernon Philander's second innings dismissal of Keaton Jennings at Trent Bridge.

Shrubsole is right on the money to Mithali Raj first ball. It jags back from a length and very nearly squeaks through her defence. The India skipper works a single from the final ball of the over to get off the mark.

2:29PM

WICKET! Mandhana b Shrubsole 0 (4) FOW 5/1

Early breakthrough for England! Mandhana prods forward to Shrubsole but her defence is crooked and the ball sneaks through the gap between bat and pad.

2:24PM

Over 1: IND 1/0 (Raut 1*, Mandhana 0*)

A wee bit of shape for Brunt to start with. Raut gets India going with a guided single down to third man.

2:21PM

Players are out in the middle

Please return to your seats.

2:18PM

No pressure

2:00PM

Is that enough?

It's certainly defendable. The pitch is slow and getting slower. It's turning a bit too, but no real demons. In any other context it's probably just light of par, but you'd take runs on the board in a World Cup Final. India don't have a good record when chasing. The pressure all on them now.

All that cricket has made me hungry. Back in 15...

1:55PM

India need 229 to win

Batting card
Batting card
Bowling card
Bowling card

1:53PM

49.6 overs

Marsh can only push a full length ball into the offside for a single. 7 runs from that final over. Impressive nerve shown by the 19-year-old Sharma, who finishes with figures of 9-0-39-0.

1:52PM

49.5 overs

Pandey drops back to the boundary. Gunn punches to mid off for a single.

1:51PM

49.4 overs

Another quick single to short fine leg. Get it past Pandey and it's four.

1:51PM

49.3 overs

Gunn down the track again. This Sharma fires it in and Gunn whips it to short fine leg. Pandey does well to dive on it and prevent the boundary. They run one.

1:50PM

49.2 overs

Gunn skips down the track, Sharma sees her coming and drops it short but Gunn adjusts and drags it to deep mid-wicket for a couple.

1:49PM

49.1 overs

Sharma to bowl the final over. Marsh sweeps to long leg for a single.

1:49PM

Over 49: ENG 221/7 (Marsh 11*, Gunn 21*)

Nearly another run out for England. Hesitation nearly costs Gunn but the throw isn't quite on the money and Gunn dives to make her ground. Six singles from the over. We'll go ball-by-ball for the final over. Marsh on strike. Let's be having it large, Laura...

1:45PM

Over 48: ENG 215/7 (Marsh 8*, Gunn 18*)

Gunn clears her front foot and slogs - there is no other word - Pandey's first ball to cow for four. Pandey losing her way a little here, a waist-high full toss is called for a no ball and a free hit is on offer. But Gunn misses out as she can only slap the freebie to the cover fielder. But Marsh succeeds where Gunn could not, piercing the gap in the infield to bring England four more. Throw in a few more singles and it's a very productive over. 14 from it.

Re Sharma: Impressive work if so...

1:41PM

Over 47: ENG 201/7 (Marsh 3*, Gunn 10*)

England mixing up their sweeps against Gayakwad. Gunn hits powerfully to deep square for a single, then Marsh gets down to lap for a couple. Another two singles makes it five from the over as England drag themselves past 200. Three overs to go. How many more can they bag?

1:39PM

Over 46: ENG 196/7 (Marsh 0*, Gunn 8*)

Pandey back into the attack as Raj begins to run out of options. Opportunity for England to attack her with just five overs to go. Not so fast. Brunt is a goner. Tremendous piece of fielding from Sharma. Not the best call from Gunn. Laura Marsh is the next woman in for England.

1:37PM

WICKET! Brunt run out (Sharma) 34 (42) FOW 196/7

Gunn nudges one straight to Deepti Sharma at extra cover and calls Brunt through for a single. Sharma hits the stumps and Brunt isn't even in the picture. Big blow. Brunt can pack a punch. A decent hand nonetheless.

1:35PM

Over 45: ENG 192/6 (Brunt 32*, Gunn 6*)

Poonam Yadav finishes with figures of 2-36 from her 10. Brunt and Gunn working four singles from her final over. Poonam takes a tumble as from Gunn bundles into the back of her while trying to complete a single. The little leggie is all smiles as she gets up to take her cap back from the umpire. Bowled. 

1:30PM

Over 44: ENG 188/6 (Brunt 30*, Gunn 4*)

Sharma back to bowl her 8th over. England miss out on another full toss, this time Jenny Gunn bunts one to long on for a single. Katherine Brunt makes no mistake with a wide half volley, driving through the covers for a much-needed boundary. Brunt doing most of the grunt at the moment. Jenny Gunn's 4 runs have come from 18 deliveries. Brunt has 30 from 36. Partnership of 24 from 41.

1:26PM

Over 43: ENG 179/6 (Brunt 23*, Gunn 2*)

Gayakwad giving it some air. Her fourth delivery comes down at just 37mph. Brunt has time to scratch her nose by, read the paper and grab a jam sandwich before it reaches her. When it finally does, she slaps it to cover and its a dot ball. She pilfers a couple of couples and a single from the rest of the over, which makes five.

1:22PM

Over 42: ENG 174/6 (Brunt 18*, Gunn 2*)

Deary me, how Brunt has got away with this I do not know. She steps across her stumps to whack Poonam to leg but she only succeeds in toeing it high into the air. It's up there for an age but somehow it plops down into unmarked territory. England's balcony breathes a sigh of relief. Another three from the over. Scratchy stuff.

1:19PM

Over 41: ENG 171/6 (Brunt 15*, Gunn 2*)

Gayakwad maintains the squeeze. England going at 3s since Taylor's departure. How do England play this? They bat deep and need to step on the gas if they're to get up to something resembling a par score.

Jhulan Goswami celebrates the key wicket of Nat Sciver for 51 as she finishes with figures of 10-3-23-3 - Credit: Getty
Jhulan Goswami celebrates the key wicket of Nat Sciver for 51 as she finishes with figures of 10-3-23-3 Credit: Getty

1:16PM

Over 40: ENG 168/6 (Brunt 13*, Gunn 1*)

Goswami to bowl out. Three runs from her final over and she finishes with figures of 10-3-23-3. Oustanding stuff from the fast bowler and she rightfully receives a standing ovation from an appreciative Lord's.

Jhules has won herself a following, but honestly, who is this Sachin fella?

1:12PM

Over 39: ENG 165/6 (Brunt 11*, Gunn 0*)

Gayakwad back into the attack and she concedes just the single, firing down some sliders that Jenny Gunn blocks out.

1:10PM

Over 38: ENG 164/6 (Brunt 10*, Gunn 0*)

Jenny Gunn joins Katherine Brunt out in the middle. These two need to do a similar job to the one they did against Australia in their group stage match. If they can drag England up to around 230 they'll feel they'll have something to bowl at.

1:04PM

WICKET! Sciver lbw b Goswami 51 (68) FOW 164/6

Mmm, I think that might be out...

Sciver lbw b Goswami 51
Sciver lbw b Goswami 51

1:02PM

REVIEW

Sciver walking across her stumps and Goswami strikes her in front. Umpire gives it. Sciver reviews...

1:02PM

Over 37: ENG 164/5 (Brunt 10*, Sciver 51*)

Pandey back into the attack. She starts with a full toss that Sciver slaps back down the ground to long on for the single that brings up her fifty from 65 balls. Top knock, Nat. Pandey offers up another full bunger, this time to Katherine Brunt, who again can only slug it to cover for a single. Another Sciver single later, and Brunt punches the final ball of the over past mid on for four. Pandey continues to be expensive. She's gone at 7s from her five overs so far.

Nat Sciver brings up her fifty from 65 balls - Credit: Getty
Nat Sciver brings up her fifty from 65 balls Credit: Getty

12:57PM

Over 36: ENG 157/5 (Brunt 5*, Sciver 49*)

Excellent stuff from Goswami. Just the two runs from that over. She has 2-20 from her 8 overs so far.

Some bloke called Sachin seems to think she's doing alright, too.

12:53PM

Over 35: ENG 155/5 (Brunt 4*, Sciver 48*)

Big mix up between Brunt and Sciver. Sciver calls Brunt through for a second and Brunt just stands there motionless. She eventually gets going but the throw goes into the wrong end. Brunt would have been out by a mile. As it is England take another four runs from the over. Disaster averted.

Apologies for some malfunctions with the scorecard. Hit refresh and all will be at peace again.

12:51PM

Over 34: ENG 151/5 (Brunt 3*, Sciver 45*)

Five runs from Poonam's 8th over, coming in ones and twos. England with another rebuilding job to do.

12:48PM

Over 33: ENG 146/5 (Brunt 0*, Sciver 43*)

The hat-trick ball is blocked out by Katherine Brunt. Suddenly the pendulum has swung India's way, and Jhulan Goswami has done the business for her skipper.

That really was a cruel way for Taylor to go. A half-volley slung down leg and she gets a toe end that just about carries through to the keeper. The umpire took a long time to raise the finger, perhaps giving Taylor the opportunity to walk if she wanted. She wasn't going anywhere. Brings an end to an excellent partnership of 83.

Just as well Wilson didn't go for the review...

Fran Wilson is lbw first ball to Jhulan Goswami
Fran Wilson is lbw first ball to Jhulan Goswami

12:44PM

WICKET! Wilson lbw b Goswami 0 (1) FOW 146/5

First ball, yorker on middle and leg. Plumb. No review needed. Oh how quickly this game can change.

12:40PM

WICKET! Taylor c Verma b Goswami 45 (62) FOW 146/4

Sometimes you need a bit of luck to break a partnership. Sarah Taylor is strangled down the leg side. That sounds really bizarre outside of a cricketing context.

12:38PM

Over 32: ENG 144/3 (Taylor 43*, Sciver 43*)

Poonam concedes four singles from her 7th over. England projected scores are 252 at 6/over from here on in, 288 if they go at 8s.

Sarah Taylor is yet to hit a boundary in her 43 from 58 balls. We're not quite at that stage yet, but it puts me in mind of Graham Thorpe's 118 against Pakistan at Lahore in 2000, which featured just two fours.

Stats. Maths. All the numbers.

12:34PM

Over 31: ENG 140/3 (Taylor 41*, Sciver 41*)

Mithali Raj has other ideas. Jhulan Goswami is back into the attack. She starts well enough, but then slips one down leg, nutmegging Sushma Verma and England run three wides. Not a good look for India, that. Sarah Taylor is all smiles out in the middle at the moment. 

Sciver nearly chips a leading edge back to the bowler, but Goswami can't quite get reach it. A few cries of exasperation from Goswami as she strays onto the pads of Sciver and Taylor who duly milk the singles on offer.

12:30PM

Over 30: ENG 133/3 (Taylor 39*, Sciver 39*)

Taylor and Sciver both using their feet well to get to the pitch of the ball. Taylor and Sciver both working ones and twos, both on 39. What do India need to do to get the breakthrough? Ex-India batsman Aakash Chopra thinks he has the answer.

12:26PM

Over 29: ENG 128/3 (Taylor 37*, Sciver 36*)

The Pandey Experiment didn't last long. Kaur back into the attack. Off spin from both ends. Lovely little paddle sweep from Sciver brings her four past short fine leg. Kaur trying to vary her pace, but she's too straight in line and leaks 10 runs from that over. India need to wrest back some control. A wicket would do the job.

12:23PM

Over 28: ENG 118/3 (Taylor 33*, Sciver 31*)

Sharma replacing Poonam from the Pavilion End, so we still have spin from one end at least. Sciver goes back to pull a short one but the ball is skidding on now and there's a strangled shout for lbw as the ball strikes her on the back leg. England will have to use those cross-batted shots sparingly in these conditions. Four singles from the over.

Nat Sciver helps to rebuild England's innings with a fifty run partnership with Sarah Taylor - Credit: AFP/Getty
Nat Sciver helps to rebuild England's innings with a fifty run partnership with Sarah Taylor Credit: AFP/Getty

12:18PM

Over 27: ENG 114/3 (Taylor 31*, Sciver 29*)

Shikha Pandey back into the attack for India. Perhaps the ball is getting a bit too slippery for the spinners to grip it properly. Tricky time for England's batters. Easy to lose concentration when you see the ground staff prepping the covers. Taylor and Sciver sticking to their task well at the moment. A few more singles and then Sciver thwacks the final ball of the over down the ground for four to bring up the fifty partnership from 66 balls. Vital work from these two.

Enveloped by rain clouds, Lord's still looks a picture.

12:14PM

Over 26: ENG 107/3 (Taylor 29*, Sciver 24*)

Another full toss from Poonam but Sarah Taylor can only bunt it for a couple as the sweeper cuts off the boundary at deep square. Missed out there, did the England stumper. Four runs from the over. Poonam has 2-20 from her six overs so far. Decent.

12:12PM

Over 25: ENG 103/3 (Taylor 26*, Sciver 23*)

Rain coming down hard now. Ground staff making movements. Oh, hello. A boundary? It's been a while. Sciver nails a sweep off Kaur to the long leg boundary, then a single brings up the England hundred.

The MCC members are copping a bit on social media. Some of them seem to have decided that they have better things to do on a Sunday that watch England play in a World Cup Final. Not sure how many of them occupy the Twittersphere, mind.

12:07PM

Over 24: ENG 94/3 (Taylor 21*, Sciver 17*)

Hmmm, bit of drizzle coming down now. Light not too great either. Play continues for now. England continue to knock the ball around for ones and twos. Three runs coming from Poonam's latest.

12:05PM

Over 23: ENG 91/3 (Taylor 21*, Sciver 17*)

Harmanpreet Kaur, scorer of that hundred, into the attack. She has caps-lock on at the moment.

Er, Harmanpreet, you do know your cap is still on your head?
Er, Harmanpreet, you do know your cap is still on your head?

12:01PM

Over 22: ENG 88/3 (Taylor 19*, Sciver 16*)

Sharp turn from Sharma and Sarah Taylor does well to keep it out. That one jagged back from well outside stuff to hone in on leg stump. Short of length, though, which allowed Taylor to adjust her stroke in time. Three singles from the over. Hard to judge what a par score might be. 250-270, perhaps?

11:59AM

Over 21: ENG 85/3 (Taylor 17*, Sciver 15*)

Poonam to continue. It's slow death by spin at the moment. Both batters looking to use their feet to negate the spin, and it does the job just about. Singles and twos keeping the score ticking along. Nothing silly. England looking to give themselves a platform.

11:57AM

Over 20: ENG 80/3 (Taylor 14*, Sciver 13*)

Taylor and Sciver rotate the strike as Gayakwad is reintroduced. A good throw from Punam Raut at short fine leg, but the single was well-judged. 

Nat Sciver has to take an ungainly dive to make her ground as England look to rebuild their innings after losing three quick wickets - Credit: Getty
Nat Sciver has to take an ungainly dive to make her ground as England look to rebuild their innings after losing three quick wickets Credit: Getty

11:55AM

NOT OUT

But she's not. Home by a couple of yards.

11:54AM

UMPIRE REVIEW

Direct hit and Nat Sciver could be in trouble here.

11:51AM

Over 19: ENG 74/3 (Taylor 10*, Sciver 11*)

Poonam tries to buy another wicket with another full toss on leg stump, but Sciver makes no mistake with this one, whipping it to the leg side boundary for another boundary. India's spinners offering up a few gimmies to get her going. Sciver takes a single after a misfield at mid off from the final ball of the over.

India's Poonam Yadav celebrates with Jhulan Goswami after claiming the wicket of England captain Heather Knight - Credit: Getty
India's Poonam Yadav celebrates with Jhulan Goswami after claiming the wicket of England captain Heather Knight Credit: Getty

11:48AM

Over 18: ENG 69/3 (Taylor 10*, Sciver 6*)

Bang. Sciver whacks one over Sharma's head for a much-needed boundary. It was right in the slot, and Sciver gave it some welly. No need to nutmeg that one.

England's run-rate has dropped below four-an-over, so Sciver is looking to be proactive. Perhaps overly so - she calls through a risky single after a push to mid off and has to hurl herself forwards to make her ground.

11:45AM

Over 17: ENG 64/3 (Taylor 10*, Sciver 1*)

First ball after drinks and Heather Knight is the second England batter to be dismissed after an attempted sweep. Big hugs for Sushma Verma, clearly the wicketkeeper was instrumental in calling for the review.

Natalie Sciver is off the mark with a nurdle. England with some rebuilding to do.

11:41AM

WICKET! Knight lbw b Poonam 1 (7) FOW 63/3

This looks dicey for Knight. The only thing that could save her here is the ball striking her outside the line off. It hasn't, and the ball is hitting the middle of middle. Things getting messy for England now.

11:39AM

REVIEW

Poonam strikes Knight in front. India call for the review...

11:37AM

Over 16: ENG 63/2 (Taylor 10*, Knight 1*)

Sharma continues to keep things tight. Just the two runs from her over. Knight is off the mark with a nudge to leg.

Drinks.

11:35AM

Over 15: ENG 61/2 (Taylor 9*, Knight 0*)

Poonam Yadav into the attack with her leg breaks. She thinks she has Sarah Taylor caught behind. Big appeal. Not out. India don't go for the review, and rightly so. Poonam didn't really think she had Sarah Taylor caught behind.

Beaumont's downfall doesn't get any better the more you watch it. That really should have gone into the grandstand. Beaumont tried to whip it, she should have just boshed it.

Both England's openers are back in the hutch. England's captain Heather Knight joins Taylor. Vital partnership coming up...

England's Lauren Winfield is bowled by India's Rajeshwari Gayakwad - Credit: PA
England's Lauren Winfield is bowled by India's Rajeshwari Gayakwad Credit: PA

11:30AM

WICKET! Beaumont c Goswami b Poonam 23 (37) FOW 60-2

There's no word-mincing to be done here, this is a real softie. Full bunger from Poonam, and Beaumont spoons it straight down Goswami's throat at deep mid wicket. England's openers have undone their good work.

11:27AM

Over 14: ENG 59/1 (Taylor 7*, Beaumont 23*)

Now it's Taylor down the track to Gayakwad. She doesn't get all of it, but it lands safely and they run two. Beaumont finally manages to break her shackles, cutting a loose one from Gayakwad to the point boundary.

11:24AM

Over 13: ENG 52/1 (Taylor 4*, Beaumont 19*)

Another good over for India. Sharma keeps it down to just the two runs. A wide and a single to Taylor. Beaumont stuck on 19 since the 6th over. She is skipping down the track to try to manufacture a scoring opportunity but can only find the fielders.

11:22AM

Over 12: ENG 50/1 (Taylor 3*, Beaumont 19*)

So, spin from both ends now as India start to claw this run rate back after a shaky start with the ball. Winfield's wicket brings Sarah Taylor to the crease, who in turn brings up England's fifty with a few nurdles to leg.

The game itself is pretty much 50/50 now. India dragging things back well. 

11:17AM

WICKET! Winfield b Gayakwad 24 (35) FOW 47-1

Winfield has been getting well across her stumps with her sweep shots, and she goes too far on this occasion. Gayakwad goes around the wicket, Winfield misses, Gayakwad hits. India strike.

11:14AM

Over 11: ENG 46/0 (Winfield 24*, Beaumont 19*)

Goswami takes a blow, Deepti Sharma to bowl some off-breaks in her stead. Solid start. Just the three from it. Two singles and a leg bye.

Tammy Beaumont, by the way, is now the tournament's leading run scorer.

11:11AM

Over 10: ENG 43/0 (Winfield 22*, Beaumont 19*)

Drop! Beaumont nicks one through to Verma from the first ball of Gayakwad's second over, but the keeper can't hold on. A biggish deflection, but a half-chance nonetheless. Maiden from Gayakwad. Good recovery.

Here's a closer look at that Winfield review.

11:09AM

Over 9: ENG 43/0 (Winfield 22*, Beaumont 19*)

Just the one leg bye from Goswami's latest. Her figures are now 5-2-9-0. Outstanding stuff from her end. She needs a partner in crime from the other.

Lawrence Booth won't be taking up umpiring any time soon. Luckily for him he can write a decent word or two.

11:06AM

NOT OUT

Could be sliding down leg this one. Yep, just breezing past Winfield's leg stump. Not by much. Decision overturned. Good review.

11:04AM

REVIEW

Goswami has Winfield trapped in front. The opener calls for the review...

11:04AM

Over 8: ENG 42/0 (Winfield 22*, Beaumont 19*)

Pandey going at seven-an-over, so the left arm spinner Rajeshwari Gayakwad is on to replace her from the Pavilion End. Winfield needs no sighters, and punches her first ball through the covers for four. The opener gets a lucky escape a few balls later. She gets down to sweep the spinner and gets an under edge that just evades her leg stump. Milimetres only. But it brings her four. She tries again from the final ball of the over and this time she nails it. Three fours from the over. That makes 12. Not a great start from Gayakwad.

10:58AM

Over 7: ENG 30/0 (Winfield 10*, Beaumont 19*)

Maiden over. Goswami keeping things tight from her end. She's gone for just the nine runs from her four overs so far.

England's Tammy Beaumont goes on the attack at Lord's - Credit: PA
England's Tammy Beaumont goes on the attack at Lord's Credit: PA

10:56AM

Over 6: ENG 30/0 (Winfield 10*, Beaumont 19*)

Shot! Beautiful cover drive from Beaumont, laced through the infield for four. Pandey doesn't learn her lesson and puts it in the same spot the very next ball. Play it again, Tammy. Successive boundaries. England purring along nicely at the moment.

10:53AM

Over 5: ENG 21/0 (Winfield 10*, Beaumont 10*)

'Oooooh Jhulan Goswami'. The White Stripes' 'Seven Nation Army' was booming around Lord's as the teams made their way out to the middle. Really waiting for the crowd to cotton onto to what they should be singing. Perfect syllable count. Perfect line and length. Goswami twice finds the edge of English bats. First Winfield squirts a single to third man, then a genuine nick from Beaumont falls just short of Krishnamurthy at first slip.

The final two balls of the over are a touch too straight and England's openers clip some ones and twos to leg.

10:48AM

Over 4: ENG 17/0 (Winfield 7*, Beaumont 9*)

Pandey continues with her hooping inswingers. She keeps Winfield guessing with a leg cutter, but her line is too wide and Winfield watches it through to the keeper. The teams are playing on a used pitch here at Lord's, and it doesn't look to have much life in it. Wicketkeeper Verma doing plenty of work down by her ankles as the ball trundles through to her on the bounce.

Two runs from the over. A single and a wide.

10:44AM

Over 3: ENG 15/0 (Winfield 6*, Beaumont 9*)

Assured start from England's openers. If they're feeling nervous, they certainly aren't showing it. Beaumont cuts Goswami to the fence for another boundary.

10:41AM

Over 2: ENG 11/0 (Winfield 6*, Beaumont 5*)

Pandey shares the new ball and nearly squeezes a yorker through Winfield, but the opener just about jams her bat down in time and they run a single. Beaumont gets off the mark with a lovely whip to the leg side boundary for four. Another single brings Winfield back on strike, who is the beneficiary of a sloppy misfield at mid on that adds four more to the score.

Productive over for England. 10 from it. 

10:37AM

Over 1: ENG 1/0 (Winfield 1*, Beaumont 0*)

Goswami on the money right from the get go. Her first delivery is a bit of a loosener, wide of off stump and Winfield lets it go. She tightens up her line onto off stump and Winfield is in behind the next four deliveries with solid defence. A thick edge to third man off the final ball of the over has England on the scoreboard.

10:31AM

Laura Winfield and Tammy Beaumont make their way to the middle

Nerves are jangling. A solid start from these two will help calm everyone down.

England's oldest women's cricketer, 105-year-old Eileen Ash is on bell-ringing duties at Lord's. She played seven Tests for England either side of World War Two. 

10:28AM

#natmeg

Not since Tillakaratne Dilshan got down on one knee and ramped the ball over his own head has their been such commotion over the invention of a new shot. Nat Sciver's nutmeg has spawned a new craze and you can read Jonathan Liew's view on it all here:

England, for their part, also have a product to sell. And there are few better sales reps than Sciver: the diplomat’s daughter with a cosmopolitan upbringing, the multi-talented athlete who plumped for cricket, the high-octane entertainer who can bludgeon the ball straight or shuffle it between her legs like a sort of children’s party trick. (The ‘Natmeg’, it was dubbed on social media when she unveiled it against New Zealand last week.) She is the only woman in this World Cup to score two centuries. She is the only woman in one-day international history to average 40 at more than a run a ball. She hit the first ever six in the women’s Big Bash.

In short, Sciver is pure box office, and when England coach Mark Robinson describes her as “our Ben Stokes”, you suspect he means more than a handy contributor with bat and ball. It describes the journey of a maturing all-rounder not just exploring the faraway boundaries of her own talent, but coming to terms with her destiny: the thing in life she was put here to do, above all others.

10:21AM

I hope you're tuning in, Broady

10:16AM

'Women's cricket has come a long way since playing in front of one man and a dog on Jersey'

Isa Guha was an integral part of the England side that won the 2009 World Cup in Australia. You can read her take on the progress the women's game has made since her retirement online and in today's Sunday Telegraph. Here's a taster:

Two women’s cricket teams will soon walk out for a World Cup final at Lord’s in front of 28,000 people. Take a moment to read that sentence again, because many people felt this day would never come. I’m an optimist, and always hoped that this match would attract huge support from Britain’s sporting public, but even I could not be sure.

Women’s cricket has come a long way in the last two decades. I remember my England debut, in 2002. It came in Jersey, in a triangular tournament with New Zealand and India. To say that it did not generate great local interest is putting it mildly: our first game, against India, attracted a handful of spectators. I was thankful my parents and a couple of county team-mates from home had travelled over to watch. Otherwise, it would have been rather lonely.

10:08AM

Here are the teams

England: Winfield, Beaumont, Taylor (wk), Knight (c), Sciver, Wilson, Brunt, Gunn, Shrubsole, Marsh, Hartley

India: Raut, Mandhana, Raj (c), Kaur, Sharma, Krishnamurthy, Pandey, Verma (wk), Goswami, Gayakwad, Poonam

10:06AM

England win toss and will bat first

India captain Mithali Raj says she would have done the same. Both sides unchanged from their respective semi-finals. 

10:03AM

Good morning

Lord's is a sell out, the captains are out for the toss. Here we go...

England's dressing room at Lord's ahead of their World Cup final at Lord's - Credit: Getty
England's dressing room at Lord's ahead of their World Cup final at Lord's Credit: Getty