At the storied Lord’s Cricket Ground, a game that alternately went one way and the other came to a contentious conclusion when Deepti Sharma stopped in her run-up to whip the bails off at the non-end striker’s to dismiss Charlie Dean, who had made an individual effort to keep England in the game. With that, India won the series 3-0 and bowled out England, but as was to be expected, the method of dismissal sparked debate and backlash. Stuart Broad, the pacer on the England men’s squad, was one of many who objected to Deepti’s dismissal of Dean. “A run out at the non-striker’s end and India win!” the ICC tweeted after India’s 16-run win. The England pacer stated in another tweet: “The Mankad controversy truly interests me. Countless perspectives on both sides. Personally, I wouldn’t want to prevail in such a contest, and I’m glad that others have other opinions.” After shaking hands with the Indian players, Dean—the final wicket to fall for England—walked away in tears.
She came in with the score at 65/7 as England chased 170 runs, and she and captain Amy Jones put together a 38-run partnership. Dean continued to play even after Jones was benched, and even though Kate Cross lost against Jhulan Goswami, who was retiring, she maintained England’s chances. Dean made a brave effort to knock the order down but was run out for 47 with just 17 runs needed to win. It was a special evening for India as Jhulan Goswami had a well-deserved send-off at Lord’s with a 3-0 series victory. Goswami finished her international career with a magnificent 10-over spell of 2/30.
