Daijiworld Media Network – Brisbane
Brisbane, Feb 24: Australia women's national cricket team outclassed reigning world champions India women's national cricket team in all departments to register a comfortable six-wicket win in the first Women’s ODI at Allan Border Field on Tuesday.
Put in to bat after winning the toss, India were bowled out for 214 in an ordinary batting display despite solid half-centuries from Smriti Mandhana (58 off 68) and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (53 off 84).
Australia chased down the modest target with ease, riding on fifties from captain Alyssa Healy (50 off 70), who is playing her farewell series, and Beth Mooney (76 off 79). Spinner Ashleigh Gardner starred with the ball, returning impressive figures of 3 for 33 in seven overs.
The multi-format series is now locked at 2-2, with India having won the preceding T20 series 2-1. Following the three-match ODI series, a one-off Test will be played in Perth, after which Healy will bring down the curtain on her international career.
India had a bright start with the ball when left-arm spinner Shree Charani struck twice in successive deliveries in the 11th over, removing Phoebe Litchfield and Georgia Voll. However, the breakthrough proved insufficient as Australia maintained control of the chase.
Earlier, pacer Megan Schutt made an immediate impact, trapping Pratika Rawal leg-before in the opening over. Rawal was making her national comeback after recovering from an ankle injury sustained during India’s triumphant ODI World Cup campaign at home last year.
Batting at number three for the first time, Shafali Verma struggled for rhythm and was caught straight back by Darcie Brown. Mandhana counter-attacked with a flurry of boundaries, including elegant drives, but Australia’s spinners tightened the screws in the middle overs.
Gardner dismissed Jemimah Rodrigues with a delivery that straightened to take the outside edge. Mandhana and Deepti Sharma fell attempting sweep shots, while Harmanpreet, after steadying the innings, also perished to Gardner in the deep.
Kashvee Gautam (43 off 44) provided late impetus, smashing three sixes — including a straight hit over long-on — to push India past the 200-run mark. However, the total proved inadequate against a clinical Australian side that once again displayed why it remains one of the most dominant teams in women’s cricket.