1st ODI
Megan Schutt has shined with a five-wicket haul as Australia has dominated India
India scored 100 in 34.2 overs, where as Australia scored 102/5 in 16.2 overs.
So, finally Australia beat India by 5 wickets.
In their first international match since their shock semifinal exit from the T20 World Cup, where their four-peat attempt was dashed, Australia made a powerful statement with a dominant five-wicket victory over India in Brisbane on Thursday.
Despite a few hiccups, including a mini top-order collapse triggered by Renuka Thakur, the 48-run opening stand provided a solid foundation for the 101-run chase.
This was set up after Megan Schutt’s maiden ODI five-wicket haul helped bowl India out cheaply in under 35 overs.
Georgia Voll starred with the bat on debut, scoring an unbeaten 46.
On batting-friendly conditions, India had no hesitation in setting a target but quickly found themselves in trouble after some outstanding new-ball bowling by Schutt.
Smriti Mandhana began aggressively with two crisp boundaries whenever given width, but a subtle change of angle from Schutt brought the first breakthrough, dismissing the Indian vice-captain.
Priya Punia, on her comeback, struggled to find rhythm and could not rotate the strike effectively.
Eventually, the pressure got the better of her, and she edged a simple catch to backward point off Schutt for just three runs off 17 balls.
Harleen Deol, also returning from injury, had a couple of early chances but couldn’t capitalize.
She formed a brief partnership with captain Harmanpreet Kaur, but fell to Ash Gardner in her first over, attempting an early attack on her Gujarat Giants teammate.
Jemimah Rodrigues formed a couple of brief partnerships, but Australia continued to take regular wickets.
Annabel Sutherland ended Harmanpreet’s innings with an LBW for 17, and Kim Garth bowled a beauty to dismiss Rodrigues.
India lost their last six wickets for just 11 runs, with Schutt returning to wrap up the tail after Deepti Sharma’s run-out.
Schutt finished with career-best figures of 5 for 19, as India were bowled out for exactly 100 in just 34.2 overs.
In their chase, debutant Voll struck a four off her first ball, but it was Phoebe Litchfield who stole the show during the 48-run opening stand.
Litchfield hit six consecutive boundaries off pacers, three each against Titas Sadhu and Renuka Thakur, to set the tone for the modest chase.
However, her aggressive approach led to her downfall, as she was dismissed for 35 off 29 balls, caught by Harmanpreet at mid-off.
Thakur, though a bit expensive, added more pressure with the ball, claiming the wickets of Ellyse Perry, who nicked behind, and Beth Mooney, who drove an edge to backward point.
Voll kept going, adding 27 runs with Annabel Sutherland, who fell unexpectedly to a catch at short mid-wicket.
Thakur returned for a costly over, which Voll punished with a four and a six.
Gardner then launched Priya Mishra for a six over long-on but was stumped by a clever delivery from Mishra for eight.
At that point, Australia needed just one more hit to seal the win, and captain Tahlia McGrath completed the formalities, hitting the second ball of the 17th over for a boundary to secure an easy win and valuable ICC World Championship points.
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