India-W succumb to defending champions Australia-W in high-octane World Cup thriller

A record-breaking game lit up Vizag as two powerhouses of women’s cricket dished out what was an imperiously high-octane run-fest. Despite India ending on the losing side, the sheer force which they brought to the mix against the defending champions, Australia, was a treat for the fans all across the globe in the Women's ODI World Cup Match 13.

Put into bat after losing the toss, the Indian openers hunkered down to business in no time at all. Smriti Mandhana (80) and Pratika Rawal (75) played a wild assortment of strokes, rocking the Aussie bowling unit significantly. The opening duo posted 155 runs in just 25 overs before Sophie Molineux drew first blood.

An incoming Harleen Deol kept the ship steady and knitted together another crucial 37 runs-stand for the second wicket with Pratika Rawal. Annabel Sutherland got the better of Rawal to deal India their second blow of the day. Harmanpreet Kaur (22) did get a start but couldn’t capitalize upon it. After India lost Kaur and Deol in quick succession, Jemimah Rodrigues (33) and Richa Ghosh (32) came up with a solid show to keep India afloat.

However, in a bid to accelerate, India lost their lower half of the batting unit in no time at all as they went crumbling from 294/4 to 330 all out. Annabel Sutherland was the tormentor-in-chief for the Women in Blue as she claimed a stunning fifer while Sophie Molineux, despite being expensive, claimed three wickets.

Well aware of how daunting the task was, Australia started on a fiery note. Alyssa Healy (142) went all guns blazing from the word go while Phoebe Litchfield (40) kicked off her knock at a breezy tempo as well. As Australia hurtled at breakneck speed, N Charani came in with the first infringement in the form of Litchfield.

Much to India’s woes, that did very little to deter the Aussies as Ellyse Perry started on an explosive tone while Healy continued to clobber the bowlers at the other end. Perry copped a blow while she was batting at 32, offering India a fortunate respite. Pez walked back to the dugout retired hurt, opening a very slender window of opportunity for India.

Deepti Sharma was quick to pounce upon that chance as she claimed Beth Mooney (4) for cheap. Charani doubled her tally with the crucial scalp of Annabel Sutherland (0), sparking hopes of further retaliation. Sadly, India couldn’t add more to their bank as Australia found stability in the form of Ashleigh Gardner (45).

By the time Charani could get the better of Healy, she had already chipped away at more than half of India’s total but with her back in the pavilion, India started to believe. What came like a triumphant turnaround of affairs, India quickly racked up the crucial wickets of Gardner, Tahlia McGrath (12) and Sophie Molineux (18), forcing Australia into an uncomfortable corner at 303/7. However, the Women in Blue missed out on what could have been a killer blow as Ellyse Perry returned to the crease and shielded the Aussies from further damage.

Despite all the hard work, Australia managed to secure a stellar victory by three wickets with an over to go. N Charani was the pick of the Indian lot as she claimed three wickets while Deepti Sharma bagged a brace. Alyssa Healy won the Player of the Match award for her sensational performance with the bat.