Chelmsford T20: Indian women lose to England

The Indian women's cricket team suffered its second successive defeat to England women as it lost the second Twenty20 match by eight wickets in Chelmsford on Thursday.

Batting first after winning the toss, India were bundled out for 114 in exactly 20 overs, and England chased down the target with 17 balls to spare at the County Ground. 

England's wicketkeeper-batsman Sarah Taylor continued her good run of form with the bat, top-scoring with a 48-ball unbeaten 67, in the hosts' 117 for two. 

Harmanpreet Singh topped scored for India with 34 off 38 balls while skipper Mithali Raj made 21 in 18 balls. 

While Harmanpreet hit a four and a six, Mithali struck three boundaries during her cameo. 

But the Indian batting once again failed as a unit and kept losing wickets at regular intervals. 

The visitors were off to a disastrous start as they lost opener Amita Mishra with nothing on the board. 

There was a brief resistance after that till Raj and Poonam Raut fell in quick succession to leave India struggling at 38 for three in the eighth over. 

A fourth-wicket partnership of 51 ensued between Mona Meshram and Kaur, but the former fell just when the duo seemed to be taking India to a comfortable position with their 54-ball stand. 

None of the batsmen following Meshram could reach the double figures. 

Taylor then led England's riposte in style, hitting nine fours. She was ably supported by Lydia Greenway who remained not out on 30 off 31 balls. 

Katherine Brunt was the best English bowler, returning impressive figures of three for 18 from four overs.