Freya Kemp's 39* off 13 balls fires England to 168/5 vs India in 2nd WT20I
Synopsis
England looked set for a modest total at Bristol — until Freya Kemp walked in at number seven and hit 39 off 13 balls, including two sixes off the final over, to drag the hosts from a spin-dominated middle phase to 168/5. India's Sree Charani took 3-25 but 39 runs off the last two overs may have swung the match before India even bat.
Key Takeaways
Freya Kemp smashed an unbeaten 39 off 13 balls , hitting four boundaries and two sixes to power England to 168/5 .
39 runs came off the final two overs, dramatically lifting England from what looked like a below-par total.
Sree Charani was India's best bowler with 3-25 , dismissing Wyatt-Hodge, Jones, and Knight.
India's spinners returned 4-94 in 12 overs at an economy of 7.75 , outperforming the pacers who went at 9.25 .
India require 169 to win the second Women's T20I at the County Ground, Bristol and clinch the series.
All-rounder Freya Kemp smashed an unbeaten 39 off just 13 balls to propel England to 168/5 in 20 overs against India in the second Women's T20I at the County Ground, Bristol on Saturday, 30 May. Left-arm spinner Sree Charani was India's standout with figures of 3-25, but a stunning late blitz — 39 runs off the final two overs — transformed what had been a modest England innings into a challenging target of 169.
England's Shaky Start
Electing to bat first, England struggled in the Powerplay, managing only 35 runs while losing Sophia Dunkley, who was dropped early by Jemimah Rodrigues before falling to Nandni Sharma for 10. Danni Wyatt-Hodge, returning from maternity leave, looked fluent — stroking three boundaries — before Charani dismissed her for 29.
Charani continued to torment the England middle order, removing the in-form Amy Jones for 28 and accounting for captain Heather Knight with a sharp return catch. Shreyanka Patil chipped in by bowling Alice Capsey for 28, as India's spinners kept a firm grip in the middle overs.
India's Spinners Dominate the Middle Overs
India's spin duo of Charani and Shreyanka Patil were particularly effective, conceding just 94 runs in 12 overs at an economy of 7.75. The pacers, by contrast, returned 1-74 in eight overs at an economy of 9.25, underscoring the spinners' control on what was described as a slow pitch. At the halfway stage, a total beyond 150 appeared unlikely for the hosts.
Kemp's Finishing Blitz Changes Everything
Entering at number seven, Kemp immediately shifted gears. She plundered 24 runs off the 20th over bowled by Arundhati Reddy, hitting two sixes and two fours in the process. Danielle Gibson contributed 11 off seven balls, including a boundary, as England ransacked 39 runs from the last two overs — 15 of which came off Nandni Sharma's final over. Kemp's clean hitting, combining maximums with crisp drives through the off-side, pushed England well past 160.
What India Must Do Next
India now face a stiff chase of 169 to clinch the series and deliver a significant boost to their preparations ahead of the upcoming Women's T20 World Cup. The tourists will need to convert their bowling discipline into batting firepower, particularly against an England attack that will be buoyed by a competitive total on a tricky surface.
Brief Scores: England 168/5 in 20 overs (Freya Kemp 39 not out, Danni Wyatt-Hodge 29; Sree Charani 3-25, Shreyanka Patil 1-29) vs India.
Point of View
But the more telling number is the economy split: India's spinners went at 7.75 while the pacers leaked at 9.25 on a pitch that should have suited seamers. That suggests India's bowling combination may need revisiting before the Women's T20 World Cup. The bigger concern, though, is the death bowling — conceding 39 off two overs on a slow surface is a structural problem, not a one-off. India's batting unit now faces a pressure chase, and how they respond will say more about their World Cup readiness than any warm-up fixture could.
NationPress
11 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was England's final score in the 2nd Women's T20I against India at Bristol?
England posted 168/5 in 20 overs at the County Ground, Bristol on 30 May. The total was built largely on Freya Kemp's unbeaten 39 off 13 balls in the final overs.
How did Freya Kemp change the course of England's innings?
Freya Kemp entered at number seven and scored an unbeaten 39 off just 13 balls, smashing two sixes and two fours — including 24 runs off the final over bowled by Arundhati Reddy. Her assault contributed to 39 runs coming off the last two overs.
How did Sree Charani perform for India in the 2nd WT20I?
Left-arm spinner Sree Charani was India's standout bowler, finishing with figures of 3-25. She dismissed Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Amy Jones, and Heather Knight, and along with Shreyanka Patil kept England's scoring in check through the middle overs.
What target does India need to chase to win the series?
India need to score 169 runs to win the second Women's T20I and clinch the series. A win would also serve as an important confidence boost ahead of the upcoming Women's T20 World Cup.
How did England's spinners and pacers compare in the match?
India's spinners — primarily Sree Charani and Shreyanka Patil — returned 4-94 in 12 overs at an economy of 7.75, significantly more economical than the pacers who went for 1-74 in eight overs at 9.25.
