Edwards' efforts proved in vain

India captain Mithali Raj's unbeaten 65 guided her team to an eight-wicket win over England in Guwahati to give them a 2-1 lead in the women's one-day series.

Openers Charlotte Edwards (66) and Laura Newton (40) put on 102 as the tourists made 215-7 in their 50 overs.

But Raj put on 68 with Karuna Jain (64) and an unbroken 81 with Anjum Chopra to see India home with 9.1 overs to spare.

Edwards was the most economical, giving away 43 off 10 overs, and will hope they improve in Silchar on Wednesday.

The tourists could have Jenny Gunn, Laura Harper and Caroline Atkins back for the fourth game of the five-match series after they were forced to miss out in Guwahati through illness.

England initially made light of those blows as captain Edwards won the toss and saw off the new ball with Newton.

But they were set back when Reema Malhotra bowled Newton and Nooshin Al Khader trapped Claire Taylor leg before in quick succession.

All-rounder Arran Brindle helped the skipper put on 45 before Edward's 112-ball knock - featuring seven fours - ended with her being caught by Raj off Amita Sharma.

The innings was in danger of fading badly when Al Khader caught and bowled Lydia Greenaway and had Rosalie Birch stumped.

We have been annihilated today but we've got to stand strong Charlotte Edwards

Howver, Brindle hung around, while Beth Morgan and Nicky Shaw chipped in with useful runs down the order to boost England's total.

India made a blistering start to their reply, with Jain and Jaya Sharma, who hit a six in her breezy 24, smashing the visiting seamers to all parts.

Spinner Jo Watts gave England hope by taking a return catch off Sharma but Raj ensured the tempo did not slow down.

It mattered little when Brindle bowled Jain as Raj and Chopra cruised to their target with few alarms.

Edwards said: "We got off to a very good start but were probably 30 runs short. It was a quicker outfield and a slightly better pitch.

"They just came out at us and played over the top, which was something we hadn't seen from them all tour and probably took us aback.