India’s successful pursuit of 259 at Hove came with a post-script on Wednesday: opener Pratika Rawal has been docked 10 per cent of her match fee and given one demerit point for what the ICC termed “avoidable physical contact”. England were also hit, losing five per cent of their fees for a slow over-rate.
The disciplinary issue concerns two separate moments. In the 18th over Rawal turned Lauren Filer into the leg side and, hustling back for a single, brushed the bowler near the non-striker’s crease. One over later, bowled by Sophie Ecclestone for a steady 36 (51 balls), she clipped shoulders with the left-arm spinner while heading for the pavilion. Match referee Sarah Edgar ruled the actions fell under Level 1 of the code – the lowest tier, yet still carrying a financial penalty. “The contact was unnecessary and could have been avoided,” Edgar said. Rawal accepted the charge immediately.
Speaking afterwards, Rawal offered a brief apology. “I mis-judged the angle and meant no harm. The game moved quickly and I should have been more aware,” she noted.
On the cricketing front the opener had already laid foundations, adding 48 with Smriti Mandhana and a further 46 with Harleen Deol. That left India’s middle order to close the deal. A calm, 90-run stand between Jemimah Rodrigues (48) and Deepti Sharma, whose unbeaten 62 came off 70 balls, saw the visitors home with ten deliveries to spare.
England captain Heather Knight admitted her side were “a touch slow between overs”, an honesty that did little to soften the ICC’s fine. She was fuller of praise for Rodrigues and Sharma. “They found gaps, took smart twos and didn’t let the rate climb,” Knight said.
The hosts had earlier posted 258 for eight, built around Maia Bouchier’s brisk 74 and handy contributions down the order, but their bowlers could not string together sustained pressure. Former England quick Katherine Sciver-Brunt, on commentary duty, thought the over-rate lapse symptomatic of “a side still bedding in after the T20s”.
With India 1-0 up, attention turns to Lord’s on Saturday before the series concludes in Chester-le-Street next Tuesday. The tourists already have the T20I trophy tucked away; England must respond quickly if they are to prevent a clean sweep.
