well you all know the story…. here’s some of the flavour….
getting 20k+ folks into a ground is not quick, despite the best efforts of some RSM-like shouting stewards – to be fair the buzz and conversation in the q as lots of peps bump into people they know (or recognise Tiffs) and catch up. In eventually, find the right staircase, climb up asap, reach the top puffed out and then are held (quite rightly for play and spectators) until the end of the over….
Goswami was her normal self, on her stage, masterful, quick and soooo much taller than her team mates, looking the giant of the game that she is. Economical but not successful to start, her second spell was more fruitful, two in two balls, but the hat-trick ball to fellow fast bowler Brunt was defended…
The skipper strides out to join Taylor, the new comer in her first world final, joining the returned stalwart, who despite publicised issues in the last year, had not shown signs of not feeling completely at home, let’s hope she’s back for good.
The openers fell after getting starts, and Knight had gone, Taylor and Sciver scampered, again, and the wicket of Taylor was against the run of play.
Rain was feared for the afternoon, the light levels fell and the floodlights came on quite early on, and when drizzle fell just after midday, as the groundsmen moved the electric boundary boards, and the foam bumpers (Daggers described them as toblerones) the umpires ignored it all, not even coming together to discuss the possibility of stopping!
The wicket of Sarah Taylor, part of the penetrating Goswami returning spell, exposed Wilson to a first swinging yorker, was it going down leg – there was no discussion of review and in strode the opposing opening quick bowler Katherine Brunt, who has fought against Goswami with bat and ball for over a decade.
Sciver got her 50, again seemingly unphased by the occasion, as she has seemed all tournament, and again Goswami worked her magic – another lbw, reviewed by Sciver I think hope than expectation as the last batsmen.
As a number of times in the competition, it fell to the bowlers to help set a decent target, Brunt, Gunn and Marsh all showing the experience of playing in previous world cups, tournaments or Ashes series over their careers – all over 10 years since their debuts on the international stage. 
Was it enough?
As I legged it from my seat to experience the atmosphere, see people who were worried perhaps not enough, pop in the shop (the q reached almost to the entry door) yet again I missed the first over, but the roar of the crowd ensured the entire shop turned to look at the TV screens above the counter, and like an echo, there was a secondary roar!
Raj runout! In the semi the fall of Raj was not as good news as thought. In how many of our really successful teams does the fall of a big wicket bring yet another respected batsman – think Keightly brings Rolton, Edwards brings Taylor OR Taylor, Lanning brings Perry. Kaur was imperious against Australia, the owner of the best innings I’ve seen, declaring it her best innings – Charlotte Edwards.
India cruised on, Raut – forever as the commentators like to call it – diminutive, but continuing her calm accumulating form seen in the tournament, showing little sign of nerves, except perhaps a reluctance to run quick singles in the deafening atmosphere.
The run rate had risen to five and a half, and about there it stayed. We passed the 20 over mark – those in the know knew we would have a result.
The stand was broken by Hartley, again claiming a big scalp, caught Beaumont.
Verma Krishnamurthy lived a little dangerously, like she was trying to get there fast… The run rate required hovered between 5 and 6, they weren’t making significant progress in reducing it – Raut continued, whilst Knight rotated her bowlers.
and then a change, Shrubsole swapped ends….
She trapped Raut on the stumps, and continued to look to the Indians as the team descended on her to celebrate – when Raut decided to ask, she was told she’d taken too long – Radio commentary reckoned she was out anyway.
This opened the door a bit to the England bowlers, Hartley getting back in the wickets and Shrubsole continued to pressure the Indian lower order, including returning the quick bowlers favour – cleaning up Goswami.
Then there were a few frantic running moments – the crowd was deafening, shouting was required just to inform the umpire what you were doing – that kept the third umpire v busy, including one that was so so close…
Pandey ended up short. But youngster Sharma was there, with a double-hundred to her name…
now only two tail-enders remainded between England and that trophy again
If you were going to put money on a catcher, Gunn would be a top contender, but she turfed a mistimed shot… Shrubsole was the first to request calm.
she was right, the very next ball, a skilled quick bowler got through the defences of a tailender…
Cue celebrations….
and celebrations with squad and support staff…
and tv interviews
agony vs ecstasy
presentation party
MOM
POT
Indians very muted and subservient as ever
England medals
Mandatory awkward interview
Trophy
Selfie time
and lap of honour…
crunchcricket 