1st WODI: Jhulan impresses but lower middle-order takes England to 226/7

Jhulan Goswami was accuracy personified even in one of of her last international games but England's lower middle-order put up a gutsy fight to take the home team to 226 for 7 in the first WODI, here on Sunday.

Goswami, the 39-year-old legend, was parsimonious, giving away only 20 runs in 10 overs with as many as 42 dot balls.

She didn't concede a single boundary or six and also bowled a fine off-cutter to get rid of the seasoned Tammy Beaumont (7).

On a tacky track where ball wasn't always coming onto the bat, India captain Harmanpreet Kaur did the correct thing by opting to field.

Also Read | Virat Kohli makes his intent clear in first practice session

After seamer Meghna Singh (1/42 in 8 overs) hurried the other opener Emma Lamb (12) with a short ball, Goswami and the two spinners Deepti Sharma (2/33 in 10 overs) and Rajeshwari Gayakwad (1/40 in 10 overs) choked the run flow consistently.

However, Sneh Rana (1/45 in 6 overs) and Pooja Vastrakar (0/20 in 2 overs) along with Meghna did leak a few runs as the home team did put up a 220 plus score in the end.

Dani Wyatt (43 off 50 balls), Alice Davidson-Richards (50 not out off 61 balls) and Sophie Ecclestone (31) were the notable contributors for England.

Even Charlie Dean played a nice cameo (24 no off 21 balls) towards the end to beef up the target.

Harmanpreet will be a touch disappointed that despite getting England on the mat at 128 for 6 by the 34th over, England's Nos. 7, 8 and 9 added more than 100 runs, which could prove to be decisive in the end.

While Gayakwad and Deepti varied the pace of their deliveries, Rana was guilty of bowling at one speed which made it easier to score off her.

Davidson-Richards and Ecclestone added 50 for the seventh wicket and the home team's only half-centurion added another invaluable 49 for the unbroken eighth wicket with Dean.