In a dominant showcase of cricketing excellence, Australia women dominate the T20I series, clinching a series win against India and underscoring their position as a powerhouse in women’s cricket. Chasing a target of 148, the opening partnership of Alyssa Healy and Beth Mooney provided a solid foundation, with Healy’s explosive batting in her 150th T20I appearance leading the charge. Her 16th T20I half-century paved the way for a confident run chase. Despite minor setbacks with the dismissals of McGrath and Perry, Phoebe Litchfield’s assertive innings and Mooney’s composed performance ensured Australia’s decisive victory, securing the series.
This triumph serves as a testament to Australian women’s resilience and skill, rebounding from an initial setback in the first T20I. While the Women in Blue, under the leadership of Harmanpreet Kaur, had shown promise following their success in the series opener, Australia Women’s remarkable performance in the subsequent two T20Is showcased their dominance and solidified their status as reigning world champions. The series win imparts valuable lessons for India Women, pointing out areas for improvement as they navigate their journey in international cricket.
3rd T20I: IND-WMN vs AUS-WMN
For more scorecards, please visit espncricinfo.Healy-Mooney Duo Puts India on the Backfoot
Australia Women made a roaring start in their pursuit of 147 runs, establishing a dominant opening partnership of 54 runs without losing a wicket in the powerplay. Alyssa Healy and Beth Mooney showcased exceptional batting, with Healy contributing 37 runs off 24 balls and Mooney adding 14 runs off 12 balls. The aggressive intent, particularly from Healy, set the tone for the chase, featuring exquisite shots and reaching the 50-run mark. India Women struggled to break the partnership in the powerplay, facing challenges from the formidable Australian opening duo.
India Women Face Challenges in Breaking the Partnership
During the middle overs (7 to 15), Australian women displayed batting brilliance and strategic mastery. Alyssa Healy notched up a brilliant half-century, showcasing controlled aggression and surgical precision in her shots. Beth Mooney played the anchor role effectively, rotating the strike intelligently, and the unbroken partnership ensured Australia steadily approached the target. Despite tidy bowling efforts from India, the Australian batters capitalized on any loose deliveries, maintaining an impressive run rate and leaving them needing 31 runs from the final five overs.
Vastrakar’s Double Strike Sparks Tension for India Women
India Women continued to face challenges during the middle overs as the partnership between Healy and Mooney remained unbroken. Deepti Sharma’s breakthrough in the 10th over, dismissing Alyssa Healy with a well-judged LBW review, provided a glimmer of hope for India. However, Renuka Singh’s tight 14th over and India’s inability to capitalize on potential chances allowed Australia Women to stay firmly in control. With Australia Women at 117/1 after 15 overs, India faced the daunting task of breaking the partnership to turn the tide.
Mooney’s Masterclass: Sealing the Series Victory for Australia Women
Beth Mooney’s masterful innings sealed the series victory for Australia Women. In the 19th over, Mooney reached her well-deserved half-century with two consecutive boundaries, showcasing flair and adaptability. Phoebe Litchfield’s aggressive contributions in the late charge ensured a smooth chase, leading Australia Women to a commanding win and emphasizing their dominance in the T20I series. Pooja Vastrakar’s double strike in the 15th over added late drama, but Mooney’s resilience ensured Australia emerged victorious and clinched the series with confidence.
India’s Women Batting Highlights
India Women’s Aggressive Start
In the 3rd T20I, India Women made an explosive start with a dazzling display of aggressive batting during the powerplay, reaching 51/1 after six overs. Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma stole the spotlight with fearless strokes, including a sensational six over long off by Mandhana and Verma’s powerful hitting, marked by six boundaries. This partnership injected momentum into India’s innings, laying the foundation for a potentially high-scoring encounter. The aggressive intent of India Women set the stage on fire, creating an electrifying atmosphere.
Australia Women’s Fightback in the Middle Overs
However, the Australian women’s bowling unit struggled to contain the Indian batters during the powerplay. While Megan Schutt managed to claim Shafali Verma’s wicket, the other bowlers, including Ashleigh Gardner and Kim Garth, found it challenging to curb the aggressive onslaught. Missed opportunities in the form of misfields and dropped catches added to Australia’s bowling woes. The bowlers needed to regroup quickly and devise a more effective strategy to tackle the aggressive intent displayed by India Women in the upcoming overs.
Despite the dominant start, Australia Women made a stunning comeback in the middle overs, restricting India to 100/5 after 15 overs. The turning point came with the dismissal of Shafali Verma, who had been in ominous form. Megan Schutt’s brilliance and crucial wickets disrupted India’s flow, with Georgia Wareham’s spin and Annabel Sutherland’s variations adding to the challenge. Australia’s disciplined bowling showcased their prowess in the middle overs, setting the stage for a gripping finale with the game delicately poised.
Late Surge: India Women’s Batting Blitz in the Final Overs
In the final five overs, India Women unleashed a batting blitz, amassing 47 runs to reach a commendable total of 147/6. Amanjot Kaur and Pooja Vastrakar showcased their hitting prowess, contributing to the late surge. Despite Ashleigh Gardner conceding a six in the final delivery, she managed to dismiss the dangerous Richa Ghosh, preventing India from surpassing the 150-run mark. Australia Women’s bowlers demonstrated resilience and strategic acumen amidst the late onslaught, ensuring a competitive target for the upcoming chase in the final T20I.
Australia Women’s Task in the T20I Finale
As the chase began, Australia Women faced a challenging target of 147 for victory. The Indian bowlers made a strong start, with Megan Schutt claiming an early breakthrough through a brilliant catch by Alyssa Healy. Annabel Sutherland’s well-executed plans led to crucial wickets, including that of Jemimah Rodrigues and Harmanpreet Kaur. Despite a late partnership between Richa Ghosh and Amanjot Kaur, Ashleigh Gardner’s crucial dismissal of Ghosh ensured a competitive target. Australia Women’s disciplined bowling and strategic changes showcased their resilience, setting the stage for an exciting and closely contested finale in the T20I series.