Australia Women Triumph Over India in First ODI Match
Australia's Unbeaten Streak Continues
In the first ODI match at Allan Border Field in Brisbane, the Australian women's cricket team secured a six-wicket victory against India, extending their unbeaten record at this venue to an impressive 21 matches. This win gives Australia a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series.
Having faced a setback in the previous T20I series, where they lost 1-2, the Australian team successfully chased down a target of 215 runs after limiting India to 214. During the post-match presentation, captain Alyssa Healy expressed pride in their record, stating, "It's an astonishing record 21-0. Hopefully, the girls can keep it going."
Australia's Successful Chase
In pursuit of the target, Healy partnered with Phoebe Litchfield to score 55 runs for the first wicket. Shree Charani claimed the first wicket for India in the 11th over, dismissing Litchfield and later taking out Georgia Voll in the same over.
Healy contributed 50 runs off 70 balls, forming a crucial 64-run partnership with Beth Mooney, who scored 76 runs off 79 balls. Annabel Sutherland (48 not out off 44 balls) and Ashleigh Gardner (5 not out off 4 balls) remained unbeaten, leading Australia to a comfortable victory. Mooney was awarded Player of the Match for her outstanding performance.
India's Batting Struggles
Choosing to bat first, the Indian women's team faced an early setback, losing Pratika Rawal in the first over to Megan Schutt. Shafali Varma, batting at number three, struggled to find her rhythm and was dismissed for just four runs off 17 balls by Darcie Brown.
Jemimah Rodrigues followed soon after, scoring only eight runs before being dismissed by Ashleigh Gardner, with Beth Mooney taking a catch behind the stumps.
Smriti Mandhana managed to reach a half-century, scoring 58 runs before being dismissed by Tahlia McGrath. Mandhana's innings included seven boundaries.
Deepti Sharma came in next but quickly fell for just two runs. Richa Ghosh then joined captain Harmanpreet Kaur, and together they added 37 runs for the sixth wicket. Ghosh scored 23 runs off 38 balls before being dismissed by Sophie Molineux.
All-rounder Kashvee Gautam contributed significantly, scoring 43 runs with three sixes and three fours, helping India surpass the 200-run mark before Harmanpreet was dismissed for 53 runs after facing 84 balls.
Gardner was the standout bowler for Australia, taking three wickets, while Schutt claimed two. Brown, Alana King, McGrath, and Molineux each took one wicket.
The Indian team will head to Hobart for the second ODI match of the series, scheduled to take place at Bellerive Oval on Friday.
Match Summary
Brief Score: India Women 214 all out in 48.3 overs (Smriti Mandhana 58, Harmanpreet Kaur 53; Ashleigh Gardner 3/33) vs Australia Women 217/4 in 38.2 overs (Beth Mooney 76, Alyssa Healy 50; Shree Charani 2/41).