BRISTOL: India’s semifinal hopes suffered a major jolt after Australia notched up a comfortable eight- wicket win, riding on a superb show by their top-order batswomen in the ICC Women’s World Cup here today.
Put into bat, opener Punam Raut’s fighting century and a 69 from record-breaking skipper Mithali Raj enabled India to post a decent 226 for seven in their sixth group league encounter.
However, Australia overhauled the target with 29 balls to spare, scoring 227 for two, courtesy some fantastic batting display by skipper Meg Lanning (76 not out) and Ellyse Perry (60 not out).
Beth Mooney (45) and Nicole Bolton (36) laid the foundation with a 62-run opening partnership in 15.4 overs.
Once they were dismissed, Lanning and Perry completed the task with consummate ease.
After this loss, India are now placed at the fourth spot with eight points. Mithali’s team will have to win its next and final league match against New Zealand to make the knockout stage.
Mooney and Bolton made a watchful start to their innings as Indian pacers Jhulan Goswami and Deepti Sharma bowled maiden overs first up.
Mooney opened the scoring for Australia with a four at the midwicket area and Bolton followed with successive boundaries in the next over off Sharma. (AGENCIES)
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