England leveled their series against India with a 26-run victory in Bristol, thanks to a stellar performance from Freya Kemp.
After a disappointing first T20, England were struggling with the bat until Kemp scored 39 not out from 13 balls, lifting them to 168-5.
India, who were well-placed at 70-1, fell short as England fought back.
Kemp’s Batting Blitz Lifts England
England’s batting was pedestrian until Freya Kemp took 24 from the last over to finish 39 not out from 13 balls.
That lifted England to 168-5, a total that had looked well beyond them just two overs earlier.
Kemp hit as many boundaries in the final two overs as the previous 11.
- Kemp came in at number six with England 116-4 in the 17th over.
- She only faced 13 balls but hit four fours and two sixes.
- Her strike-rate of 300 was the highest by any England woman in an international innings of 20 or more runs.
Some may question whether Kemp should come in earlier, perhaps ahead of former captain Heather Knight who made 18 from 14, but here she completed her role perfectly, validating coach Charlotte Edwards’ call to back her despite an injury-hit career.
Bowling Fightback Secures Victory
Kemp, returning to bowling after back injury restrictions, had Smriti Mandhana caught at deep square leg for 32.
Her wicket sparked an impressive fightback from England’s bowlers as they first halted India’s scoring through Charlie Dean and Sophie Ecclestone and then claimed a flurry of wickets.
After India retired out Yastika Bhatia for 33 from 36 balls – the first instance of the tactic being used in a women’s T20 between major nations – Kemp had her replacement Jemimah Rodrigues caught with a slower ball.
Needing 39 from the last two overs, India crumbled to 142-9.
Kemp finished with 2-15.
Boost for World Cup Preparations
The win is a significant boost to England as they build towards their opening match of the World Cup at Edgbaston on 12 June.
Rather than facing a dead rubber after another demoralising defeat, they can now clinch the series in a decider in Taunton on Tuesday.
For long periods, a heavy defeat looked far more likely.
Though parts of the batting remain a concern and England also dropped two catches, the margin of victory was convincing in England’s favour.
The boost the 21-year-old all-rounder gave to the batting innings was almost single-handed.