Freya Kemp Shines as England Levels T20 Series Against India with 26-Run Victory

Freya Kemp Shines as England Levels T20 Series Against India with 26-Run Victory

An inspired display by all-rounder Freya Kemp propelled England to a 26-run victory over India, leveling their three-match T20 series in Bristol. Kemp initially shone with the bat, scoring a blistering unbeaten 39 off 13 balls, which included two sixes, leading England to a total of 168 for five. Despite a promising start for India at 70 for one, Kemp's pivotal wicket of Smriti Mandhana (32) shifted momentum. She later dismissed the dangerous Jemimah Rodrigues for just one, helping to restrict India to 142 for nine. Without injured captain Nat Sciver-Brunt, England welcomed back opener Danni Wyatt-Hodge, who contributed an aggressive 29 with three fours. Amy Jones and Alice Capsey each added 28 in the middle order, but it was Kemp’s explosive late innings that proved crucial after England stumbled to 126 for five. She blasted 24 runs off Arundhati Reddy’s final over, including a six on the last ball, setting India a challenging target of 169. India started strong but faced an early setback with Lauren Bell taking a wicket. Mandhana and Yastika Bhatia built a solid partnership until Kemp's intervention. Bhatia retired at 33, and soon after, Rodrigues fell to Kemp, who finished with impressive figures of 2 for 15. Stand-in captain Charlie Dean further tightened the screws, claiming two wickets in the 18th over, including Indian skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (28). With India struggling at 130 for six, Bell added another wicket to finish with 2 for 33, and Sophie Ecclestone wrapped up the innings, restricting India to 142 for nine. This victory leaves the T20 series finely poised at 1-1, marking an encouraging day for England.

Source: The Independent Sport - 2026-05-30