Mithali Raj scored her seventh consecutive 50+ ODI score in the opening game of the ICC Women’s World Cup against England.

The Indian captain created a new record in women’s ODIs, bettering the efforts of Lindsay Reeler, Charlotte Edwards, and Ellyse Perry – all of whom had notched up six successive 50+ scores in the 50-over format at the international level.

On Saturday, Raj came into bat after openers Smriti Mandhana and Punam Raut had got India off to a promising start – putting together an 144-run first-wicket partnership.

Raj followed in the footsteps of Mandhana and Raut as the India skipper went on to score the third half-century of the innings. In the end, Raj managed to score 71 from 73 deliveries in a superb knock that included eight fours.

Raj’s run of 50+ scores began against Sri Lanka earlier this year when she scored an unbeaten 70. In the five ODI innings her scores were 64 (vs South Africa), 73* (vs Bangladesh), 51* (vs South Africa), 54 (vs South Africa), and 62* (vs South Africa).

The right-handed batter also holds the record for most half-centuries (47) in women’s ODIs, getting past Edwards who had scored 46 half-centuries during her ODI career for England.