Australia women take an unassailable 2-0 lead with a 122-run win against India

New Delhi: After choosing to bat, Australia showed relentless aggression, posting a massive 371 for 8, the highest total against India in an ODI. The hosts then bowled India out for 249 in 44.5 overs, comfortably securing the win. “We got some partnerships in between, we had a positive mindset, but we were short by a few runs,” Harmanpreet said after the match.

“We created a few opportunities but couldn’t capitalize on them. We should give credit to them for how they batted. We need to think about our plans for how we will bowl in the next game. We need to bat the full 50 overs and come up with better plans.”

Australia never seemed in danger as Phoebe Litchfield (60) and Georgia Voll put together a 130-run opening partnership, setting a solid foundation. Voll then teamed up with Ellyse Perry for a 92-run stand, before Ellyse Perry and Beth Mooney (56) combined for a 98-run partnership, leaving the Indian bowlers struggling. Voll, playing just her second ODI, struck 12 boundaries in her 87-ball knock, while Perry blasted six sixes and seven fours during her 75-ball innings.

Leg-spinner Priya Mishra (1/88) and off-spinner Minnu Mani (2/71) were taken to the cleaners, as runs flowed freely during the opening partnership. India managed a brief recovery in the final five overs, picking up a few wickets, but it was far too little, too late.

Among the Indian bowlers, Saima Thakor (3/62) was the standout, taking three wickets. Renuka Singh (1/78) and Deepti Sharma (1/59) also contributed with one wicket each. Chasing the daunting target, opener Richa Ghosh played a steady knock of 54 from 72 balls, but India never appeared to be in contention for the win.

Series win after a high-scoring contest in Brisbane! #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/cZ4kEt4yOT

— Australian Women’s Cricket Team (@AusWomenCricket) December 8, 2024

Smriti Mandhana (9) and Harleen Deol (12) fell early, leaving India at 45 for 2 in the 11th over. The situation seemed to improve when Richa Ghosh and captain Harmanpreet Kaur (38) put together a 66-run partnership off 69 balls. However, Ghosh was dismissed by Alana King in the 22nd over, putting India further on the back foot.