Mackay (Australia): Opener Smriti Mandhana hit a patient 86 (94b, 11×4) to guide India to a competitive 274 for seven wickets against Australia in the second women’s ODI here Friday. India are currently down 0-1 in the three match series. It was the 19th ODI half century for Smriti Mandhana. It was an important knock after the India eves were put into bat by the Aussies.
Mandhana shared two crucial partnerships. The second of those was 76 runs with Richa Ghosh (44, 50b, 3×4, 1×6). Prior to that she had an opening stand of 74 runs with Shafali Verma (22). Incidentally, India’s total is the highest scored against Australia since their 25-match winning streak started in 2018.
India were off to a flying start with Mandhana and Shafali racing to 68/0 in the first 10 overs. It was their best in the 10 ODIs they have played this year. But the threatening opening stand was soon broken by spinner Sophie Molineux in the 12th over as she dismissed the latter.
A mix up then led to skipper Mithali Raj’s (8) run out followed by Yastika Bhatia’s (3) departure as the hosts made a strong comeback.
Mandhana and Ghosh then steadied the ship, keeping the scoreboard ticking. However, the stand was broken when Mandhana sliced a ball straight to the point fielder which marked the end of her innings.
Pooja Vastrakar (29) and Jhulan Goswami (28 not out) added 53 runs to help India breach the 250-run mark.
Tahlia McGrath (3/45) was the pick of the bowlers for Australia with Molineux (2/28) picking two wickets.
Brief Scores: India 274 for 7 (Smriti Mandhana 86, Richa Ghosh 44; Tahlia McGrath (3/45), Sophie Molineux (2/28), Darcie Brown (1/63). Match to continue.
