When Alyssa Healy, the Australian captain, invited India to bat on a run feast surface, many eyebrows were raised, but the 7 times world champions know what side the bread is buttered.
India got off to a fascinating start by making 330 runs but was bowled out in 48.5 overs, which actually cost them an extra 20 runs. Let’s not take anything from the Australian run chase exquisite. Only they can do it , period and win by 3 wickets with an over to spare is another ripleys believe it or not scenario.
Indian openers were sublime as Smiriti Mandhana and Padikal Rawal stitched an opening stand of 155 runs with Mandhana making 80, and Padikal her under study a career best World Cup score of 75. This pair was so easy on the eye that Alyssa Healy stated they expected to chase a target of 360.
The big question is being posed now by the excuses made by Indian commentators that India is playing an extra batter. Hence, that’s the reason for their loss against South Africa and Australia yesterday.
The Indian top order clicked this time, Haleem Doel 39, Jammima Rodriguez 33, and the middle order of Richa Ghose 32., looked excellent
On hindsight, the dismissal of Richa Ghose dented Indian target of 350 plus runs, a score that might have got them over the line. Remember, in cricket, if’s and BUTS don’t work.
Australian bowlers, especially Kim Garth and Mega, Schult, were catered, the former, conceeding 35 runs in 5 overs, and the latter 37 runs in 6.1 overs.
The turning point was the dismissal of Richa Ghose by Anabel Sutherland, who ultimately recorded five wickets for 40 runs, which helped Australia to control the flow of runs at the back end. Ash Gardner had a disappointing day with the ball conceeding 46 runs in 7 overs scalping a wicket, but it was appaling to note she was bowling more in line with the pad.
The chase was going to be exciting, and the cricketing world knows the Aussies don’t give up their intent to win under any challenging circumstances.
Alyssa Healy will remember her innings as the best she ever played in her illustrious career 142 runs in 107 deliveries, and she made the Indian spin cordon look very ordinary, whist giving respect to Charani, the left arm orthodox spinner who looked threatening with 3 for 41, whilst Sneha Rana and Deepthi Sharma were struggling to drift and grip at the Visakapatnam Stadium ehich was helpful to spin but funny these two excellent spinners just got their act and wires mixed up.
Indian commentators were making excuses as usual, and this is very annoying to the ear, stating that India must play a 6th bowler because Amanjot Kaur, the all-rounder they played, was a batting all rounder , little did they take into account her match winning performance against Sri Lanka that saved the game for India against Sri Lanka.
h
Credit to Ash Gardner for her contribution with her bat in scoring a vital 45 runs , but critics will point fingers at her for getting herself bowled without batting to the end.
Australia bat deep, Elysa Perry, who walked off, retired on 32 with a hamstring niggle, came back at the fall of Ash Gardners wicket and got the job done for Australia by being unbeaten on 47 and thumping the winning six.
Indian women ground fielding and catching were excellent, especially Jemima Rodriguez. All of them were excellent, Sneh Rana picked up a blinder at short extra cover to send back Alyssa Healy to the hutch, whilst Jemima Rodriguez caught Beth Mooney at short mid on and the catch was the best so far in the competition.
Sri Lanka must learn they importance of catching and fielding to play at this level, presume they would have watched the game, and the Indian effort on the field. The difference is that India has young athletes on the field and not catch grasping 40 year old cronies.
Well played both teams Australia now head the points table , but India are still in the top 4.
India 330 /10 , Smiriti Mandana 80. Pratika Rawal 75 , Haleem Doel 39 , Jemima Rodriguez 33 , Richa Ghose 32. Anabel Sutherland 5 for 40 , Sophie Molineux 3 for 75.
Australia 331 for 7 in 49 overs. Alyssa Healy 142 , Elysa Perry 47 not out , Ash Gardber 45. Charranie 3 for 41)