Australia secures the series with Voll, Perry, and Sutherland’s impressive performances, including a four-wicket haul. Voll maintained her impressive ascent on the global stage, while Perry delivered a remarkable performance reminiscent of his best days.
New Dehli india: Australia scored 371 runs for the loss of 8 wickets, with notable contributions from Perry (105), Voll (101), Litchfield (60), and Mooney (56), while Thakor took 3 wickets for 62 runs. In response, India managed to score 249 runs, with Ghosh contributing 54 runs and Mani adding 46, but ultimately fell short by 122 runs as Sutherland claimed 4 wickets for 39 runs.
Georgia Voll achieved her first international century, marking a significant milestone in her career, while Ellyse Perry delivered a remarkable performance reminiscent of her best days. This impressive display helped Australia secure the ODI series with a commanding 122-run win against India at Allan Border Field.
Australia scored 371 for 8, marking their third-highest ODI total, which was more than sufficient to secure victory, even as India mounted a late challenge on a favorable pitch under intense heat.
India’s batting lineup performed significantly better than in the first match, where they were dismissed for just 100 runs. Richa Ghosh’s promotion to the top of the order proved effective, as she contributed a stylish half-century.
India struggled to mount a significant chase, losing wickets consistently and ultimately being bowled out for 249 in the 45th over. Opener Priya Punia was unable to continue batting due to a minor injury sustained in the field. The team’s faint hopes were dashed when captain Harmanpreet Kaur was dismissed by the fast bowler Megan Schutt for 38 runs off 42 balls in the 28th over.
India will lament their inconsistent bowling and fielding display, as their hopes for a historic ODI series win against Australia on their home turf were dashed once again.
Australia’s top order dismantled India’s struggling bowling attack after choosing to bat, following a convincing five-wicket victory in the series opener at the same venue. Voll, stepping in for the injured captain Alyssa Healy, sparked Australia’s innings and reinforced her impressive form from the WBBL by scoring 101 runs off 87 balls, complementing her unbeaten 46 from her debut match.
Her aggressive batting was evident as she struck a total of 12 fours, forming a formidable 130-run opening partnership with 21-year-old Phoebe Litchfield, who contributed 60 runs off 63 balls. While Australia’s emerging talents showcased their potential, Perry demonstrated her enduring prowess with impressive power-hitting, becoming the fourth Australian woman to surpass 4000 ODI runs.
Perry completed her innings with a score of 105 runs from 75 balls, setting an Australian record by hitting six sixes, while Beth Mooney contributed 56 runs off 44 balls.
In the sweltering Brisbane heat, which soared to 35 degrees Celsius, India struggled to make an impact, despite debutant offspinner Minnu Mani delivering a promising all-round display with two wickets and an unbeaten 46 runs off 45 balls.
Australia captain Tahlia McGrath chose not to bowl first, requiring her batters to face potentially challenging early conditions as the match commenced at 9:45 AM local time.
India’s opening bowlers, Renuka Singh, who claimed three wickets against Australia in the first match, and Saima Thakor aimed to generate swing and secure early wickets before the day’s intense heat set in. However, their deliveries were too full, allowing runs to accumulate as Litchfield struck a four on the second ball, followed by Voll, who hit four fours in six balls, propelling Australia to a rapid start.
Litchfield experienced a stroke of luck on the fifth over when Thakor’s mis-hit to mid-on was dropped by Punia, who failed to secure the catch while diving forward. This missed opportunity proved detrimental, as Harmanpreet opted to utilize the spin of Deepti Sharma and Priya Mishra during the powerplay, but their efforts yielded no success.
Voll demonstrated remarkable maturity, skillfully utilizing her footwork against the spinners while avoiding excessive aggression. Her driving ability stood out as she achieved her half-century in just 43 balls.
Litchfield had previously been in the background until she sparked her innings with skillful reverse sweeps, reaching a 50 off 58 balls. The team faced no significant challenges until Voll was caught off guard at 64 by an excellent googly from Mishra, who had shown promise in the latter stages of the first game. Voll was initially given out lbw but successfully overturned the decision after ball-tracking indicated the ball would have missed leg stump.
India received a breakthrough in the following over when Litchfield was caught by cover off Thakor’s delivery. However, the relief was short-lived as Perry, in an attacking mindset, executed her signature lofted drive with impressive impact. Voll approached her century comfortably, with her only moment of concern occurring at 86, when a direct hit from Mani nearly resulted in a run-out after she attempted a quick single, but she managed to ground her bat just in time.
Voll quickly guided a shot to the leg side, marking her century as she confidently lifted her bat and helmet, with her proud mother smiling in the stands amidst the cheers. Although Voll’s innings ended when she edged a wide delivery from Thakur, Perry stepped in, delivering an impeccable century off just 72 balls, having previously reached the milestone of 7,000 runs across all formats in international cricket.
Perry was ultimately dismissed by Deepti, leading to a late collapse for the team; however, Australia comfortably exceeded the previous ground record of 325 runs in a women’s ODI.
Punia’s inability to bat forced India to rearrange their batting lineup, leading Ghosh, who had batted at No. 6 in the first ODI, to make an impressive start by hitting Schutt for a boundary on the third ball. However, India’s optimism faded rapidly when opener Smriti Mandhana was bowled by a delivery from the fast bowler Kim Garth that clipped her inside edge. Despite Ghosh’s efforts, Australia’s disciplined bowling attack effectively maintained control over the run rate.
Alana King, the legspinner, dismissed Ghosh for 54 runs off 72 balls by bowling her around the legs, increasing the pressure on Harmanpreet. Harmanpreet began her innings with a boundary off the first ball and later hit a short delivery from McGrath for six. However, she was out in the 28th over, making the outcome inevitable, despite a late effort from Jemimah Rodrigues, who scored 43 runs off 39 balls, along with Mani.
Annabel Sutherland secured victory with figures of 4 for 38, as Australia made a commendable comeback on the field after their disappointing T20 World Cup performance.
