Wyatt assault powers England to record chase

England, on Sunday (March 25), displayed why exactly all the talks of 'anything below 180 will be difficult to defend' ware true. Led by Danielle Wyatt's explosive century, England chased down a record target of 199 to secure their second consecutive win of the T20I tri-series in Mumbai.

If India's batting was powerful, England's was a carpet attack on the opposition. If India scored 52 in powerplay, England countered that with 67. If Smriti Mandhana sparkled with a 40-ball 76, Wyatt blasted a 64-ball 124.

Yet again, England's approach of all-out attack proved effective, even as India came out displaying a better show with the bat and on the field. But Wyatt's power-game, which included 15 boundaries and five sixes, almost singlehandedly blunted India's challenge.

The English opener brought up her second T20I century - only the second player to do so - off only 52 balls (the second fastest in women's cricket) with a four straight down the ground off Deepti Sharma. She began the attack in the first over itself, stroking Jhulan Goswami for consecutive boundaries. The momentum the visitors gained from that was never lost. Wyatt largely targeted the area straight down the ground and yielded good results - during and after the powerplay overs. Bryony Smith and Tammy Beaumont played second fiddle in both the half-century stands, which set the stage for England's run-chase.

The only blip in England's innings was the young Smith's attempts to execute a few fancy strokes. While her switch hit didn't come off, an attempt to play a scoop behind the stumps paved way for her dismissal. Goswami, who yet again stood out amongst the bowlers, had her bowled with a yorker.

There were brief moments of success towards the end, with Beaumont and Wyatt holing out to the fielders at deep - both of Deepti's bowling. But the wickets came a tad too late for India's liking, to turn the course of the game. Natalie Sciver and Heather Knight completed the formalities as England cruised to a seven-wicket win in the daunting run chase, with eight balls to spare.

Earlier in the day, England won the toss and elected to field. Led by the early assault from