Indian women trounced

The Indian women's cricket team began its campaign in the one-day Tri-Series on a disastrous note, going down to England by six wickets, at Jersey, England, on Wednesday.

Put in to bat, India were bundled out for a meagre 59, their lowest total against England, with none of the batswoman reaching double figures.

England romped home, thus ending their nine-match losing streak in one-day internationals, by notching the required 60 runs for the loss of four wickets.

England's performance was professional and clinical while the Indians looked completely out of sorts. What was worse for the Indians was that Isa Guha, the 17-year-old seam bowler of Indian origin who made her international debut in the match, drew first blood for the hosts and proceeded to return with impressive figures of 7.2-0-17-2.

John Harmer, the England coach, played Guha ahead of Nicki Shaw.

"It's better for her to run the nerves out of her system right away," Harmer said.

Within 11 balls, Guha was celebrating her first scalp in international cricket, when Sulakshana Naik missed a full-length ball and was out leg before.

"After that I was fine," Guha said later. "I was shaking before, and when they told me I was opening I could not believe it. I loved every minute."

Off-spinner Laura Harper bagged four wickets as England won with six wickets and almost 20 overs in hand.

New Zealand is the third team in the competition.

Mail Cricket Editor