Cricket World Cup: England beat India to keep hopes alive

Rejuvenated England breathed life into their World Cup defence with a four-wicket hammering of India in Mount Maunganui.

The holders were transformed from the team riddled with errors in three previous defeats, taking every catch and nailing two direct-hit run-outs to bowl India out for 134.

Off-spinner Charlie Dean, in just her second World Cup match, claimed 4-23 while Anya Shrubsole became only the sixth England woman to reach 100 one-day international wickets in her 2-20.

In a nervy start to the chase, England were reduced to 4-2, while Nat Sciver survived the ball hitting her stumps without the bails coming off.

Sciver went on to make 45, while captain Heather Knight ended unbeaten on 53 as the chase was completed with more than 18 overs to spare.

In registering their first win, England move up to sixth in the table, only two points behind third-placed India, with the top four qualifying for the semi-finals.

However, they cannot afford another slip-up and face another must-win situation when they meet hosts New Zealand in Auckland on Sunday (22:00 GMT, Saturday).

India, who look to be in a scrap with England, New Zealand and West Indies for two semi-final spots, go on to face tournament favourites Australia on Saturday (01:00 GMT).

Just as there was no explanation for the wides, dropped catches and fielding errors in the defeats by West Indies and South Africa, it is hard to know why England were an entirely different outfit against India, the side they beat in the thrilling 2017 final.

Indeed, in the day between this game and the dispiriting loss to the South Africa, none of the XI trained, yet England arrived looking refreshed, relaxed and energised.

An indication of what was to follow came from the first very ball, when