Megan Schutt scores five goals to help Australia defeat India.
Australia made a statement on Thursday in Brisbane with a resounding five-wicket victory over India in their first international match since their quest to win the T20 World Cup four times ended in a surprising semifinal loss. Although there were some glitches, such as Renuka Thakur causing a small top-order collapse, the 48-run opening partnership had set the stage for the 101-run chase after Megan Schutt's first ODI fifer, which saw India dismissed cheaply in less than 35 overs. With an undefeated 46, Georgia Voll was Australia's standout batsman in her debut.
India had no qualms about choosing to score a lot in batting-friendly conditions, but it swiftly took a turn for the worst following some superb new-ball bowling from Schutt. Smriti Mandhana started out with two clean boundaries each time she was given space, but Schutt's subtle change of angle as he went around gave Australia their first significant breakthrough with the wicket of the Indian vice-captain.Smriti Mandhana started out with two clean boundaries each time she was given space, but Schutt's subtle change of angle as he went around gave Australia their first significant breakthrough with the wicket of the Indian vice-captain.
India had no qualms about choosing to score a lot in batting-friendly conditions, but it swiftly took a turn for the worst following some superb new-ball bowling from Schutt. Smriti Mandhana started out with two clean boundaries each time she was given space, but Schutt's subtle change of angle as he went around gave Australia their first significant breakthrough with the wicket of the Indian vice-captain.Smriti Mandhana started out with two clean boundaries each time she was given space, but Schutt's subtle change of angle as he went around gave Australia their first significant breakthrough with the wicket of the Indian vice-captain.
Priya Punia, who is making a return, struggled to rotate her strike and didn't appear at ease in the middle. She ultimately succumbed to the strain, slicing a straightforward catch to backward point and falling to Schutt for a three off of 17 balls. Harleen Deol, who returned from a knee injury at number three, had a few early opportunities but was unable to turn her start into anything significant. She tried to take on her Gujarat Giants teammate early on and fell to Ash Gardner in her first over, however she did join skipper Harmanpreet Kaur for a 23-run partnership.
Despite Jemimah Rodrigues's brief partnerships, Australia persisted in its frequent attacks. On 17, Kim Garth made a spectacular hit to remove Rodrigues' stumps, and Annabel Sutherland ended her vigil in the middle by trapping Harmanpreet LBW. India actually lost their final six wickets for only 11 runs when Schutt returned after Deepti was run out, cheaply eliminating their long tail and finishing with a career-best 5 for 19. India fell for an even hundred in just 34.2 overs.
Voll made her ODI cricket debut with a four off the first ball, but Phoebe Litchfield, her opening partner, stole the show in the 48-run opening stand. She hit six straight boundaries off pacers, three against Titas Sadhu and three against Renuka Thakur, to set the tone for the low-key chase. But Litchfield's surge down the field proved to be his undoing, as he left on 35 off 29 deliveries after picking out the Indian captain at mid-off.
Although it was a bit costly, Thakur dealt Australia a couple more blows in the fifth of her first six-over session with the new ball. The seasoned Ellyse Perry nicked behind and was sent back by her.
Although it was a bit costly, Thakur dealt Australia a couple more blows in the fifth of her first six-over session with the new ball. The seasoned Ellyse Perry nicked behind and was sent back by her.
Voll took Thakur to the dry cleaners with a four and a six once she returned, but only after a very costly solitary over. The leggie had her retribution in the same over, but Gardner, at the other end, grabbed one from Priya Mishra in the zone and lofted it neatly over long-on for six more. Gardner was defeated by flight and stumped on eight after dancing down the track to a floating delivery.
At that moment, though, the hosts were only a hit away, and captain Tahlia McGrath finished the formalities two balls into the 17th over to secure a comfortable victory and two vital points for the ICC World Championship.
At that moment, though, the hosts were only a hit away, and captain Tahlia McGrath finished the formalities two balls into the 17th over to secure a comfortable victory and two vital points for the ICC World Championship.
Brief Scores: Australia 102/5 in 16.2 overs (Georgia Voll 46*, Phoebe Litchfield 35; Renuka Thakur 3-45, Priya Mishra 2-11) defeated India 100 in 34.2 overs (Jemimah Rodrigues 23; Megan Schutt 5-19) by 5 wickets.
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