It has been a long time coming but England are off the mark at this World Cup and their title defence goes on - at least for a few more days.

After losing three close games, they cruised to victory in Tauranga this time out on the back of an excellent bowling and fielding effort.

They will be after more of the same as they face another must-win clash against hosts New Zealand on Saturday night.

Until then, you can read all about England's impressive performance today with Stephan Shemilt's report.

Thanks for joining us. We'll see you next time!

There were a couple more stutters before England eventually got over the line with a mere 18.4 overs and four wickets to spare. Heather Knight finished unbeaten on 53...

Image source, Getty Images

Sciver eventually fell for 45 from 46 balls having got England back on track alongside Heather Knight.

Amy Jones then tried to get the game won quickly but fell to a fantastic catch from Harmanpreet Kaur.

A crucial moment came when Nat Sciver - dismissed in unfortunate style in the last game - had a real stroke of luck when the ball thudded into the base on her middle stump but failed to dislodge the bails!

England made a bad start to their chase with openers Dani Wyatt and Tammy Beaumont dismissed in quick succession.

Richa Ghosh did her best to bolster India total before she was run out and it was left to Dean to finish the innings off. India 134 all out.

From there, it was over to the spinners. Charlie Dean took two wickets in her first over and finished with 4-23, while the ever-impressive Sophie Ecclestone removed Smriti Mandhana, who had played a lone hand in trying to hold the India innings together...

Things got better for England thanks to a fine direct hit from Kate Cross to run out Deepti Sharma, who will not want to see this back...

It feels an age ago now that Heather Knight won the toss and asked India to bat first.

Once she had, Anya Shrubsole got England off to a fantastic start, taking her 100th - swiftly followed by her 101st - ODI wicket...

India captain Mithali Raj: "We definitely didn't have partnerships up the order and that is something that didn't go our way today despite getting what we wanted after losing the toss.

"The thought of putting on 200+ would have made things a little more difficult for the England batters and the match could have gone either way.

"I think in every game as a fielding unit we have been doing well and we hope to continue that. It is something we have improved on over the games.

"In terms of batting, that's a concern but we will try to address that in the next game."

On Jhulan Goswami becoming the first female cricketer to take 250 ODI wickets: "It is an honour to play alongside her and congratulations for this big milestone. I know how difficult it is for a fast bowler to play for so many years at this level and to deliver each time she takes to the field."

England captain Heather Knight: "A bit of relief, to be honest. I think we needed that. It was a little bit scrappy, lost a few more wickets than we'd like but just to get over the line is really nice for us and hopefully the start of a momentum shift.

"We've got a long way to go, starting with that next game in Auckland and that is the focus now.

"We were obviously really disappointed with our fielding in the last couple of games and desperate to turn it around. I thought the mentality to do that was great. Sometimes it's easy to go into your shell when things aren't going well.

"We encourage the girls to get out there and be aggressive, show off and luckily we did that. I thought the bowlers were outstanding, it wasn't an easy pitch to bat on but Sophie Ecclestone was brilliant again and Charlie Dean in those middle periods, taking wickets.

"I was desperate to get the girls over the line. I haven't been contributing with the bat in the last few games so I was determined to be the one to finish it off."

Still no margin for error for England but they will feel infinitely better for putting something in the win column. Three more and they're still a chance for the semis...

Image source, BBC Sport

England spinner Charlie Dean, who has been named Player of the Match:

"I don't think I was expecting this at the start of the game so I'm really happy.

"We have shown a lot of fight as a team to come back from a few disappointing games to show what we can do. So really happy.

"I just tried to keep it simple, bowl as close to the stumps as possible and trust my best ball."

On bowling with Sophie Ecclestone: "When your bowling at the other end of Soph it makes it really easy. She always has words of wisdom and is an exceptional player on and off the pitch.

Alex Hartley
England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

A brilliant shot from Ecclestone to finish.

India know they underperformed but England will breathe a huge sigh of relief. They have been brilliant today, the England side we all know and love. They have played fantastically.

Captain Heather Knight is probably thinking 'thank goodness for that'.

Ecclestone pulls away a short ball from Mengha Singh and that does it - better late than never, England are up and running in this World Cup!

It was a fabulous effort with the ball and despite stuttering early and late in the chase, England got home comfortably enough in the end thanks to Heather Knight's unbeaten 53.

Kaur is up and walking, albeit not looking too comfortable. But sensibly, with England just four runs from victory, heads off the field. India will need her later in this World Cup so no need to take any risks.

England edge ever closer but there is concern for India as Harmanpreet Kaur goes down having jarred her knee into the turf as she dived to cut off Ecclestone flick through mid-on.

The physio is out there. Fingers crossed it is nothing serious.

Marco: Don't even think about it, England!

The batters crossed so Knight is able to settle things down before the end of the over. She takes a single from the fifth, taking it down to six needed before Sophie Ecclestone tries to get Alex's heart rate up that bit further with a swing and a miss - not too far away from the edge.

Very good over from Mengha Singh.