BRISBANE, Feb 24:
Australia outplayed reigning world champions India in all departments to pick up a comfortable six-wicket win in the first Women’s ODI here on Tuesday.
India put up an ordinary performance with the bat to be bowled out for 214 despite solid fifties from Smriti Mandhana (58 off 68) and captain Harmanpreet Kaur (53 off 84).
Australia chased down the modest target with little difficulty following fifties from skipper Alyssa Healy (50 off 70), who is in the middle of her farewell series, and Beth Mooney (76 off 79).
Spinner Ashleigh Gardner was the standout bowler for the home team, returning figures of three for 33 in seven overs.
The multi-format series is now locked at 2-2 with India winning the preceding T20 series 2-1. Following the three-match ODI series, a one off Test will be played in Perth at the end of which Healy will call time on her career.
Despite a drought-ending ICC title in November, the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side still remains a work in progress and doesn’t have the aura of the all-conquering Australian side.
“We have to come together as a batting unit and post a good total. But we won’t think about it a lot. We have two days, we will reflect on it and come back stronger,” she asserted. (PTI)
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