Radha Yadav-led India A, having clinched the One Day series 2-0, were eyeing a memorable whitewash against the Tahlia McGrath-led Australia A as they were up against each other for one final time in the white-ball format in the ongoing multi-format series. India A edged past Australia A by 2 wickets in the 2nd game of the series to seal the One-Day leg.
Both sides made a few changes to their playing XI: Tess Flintoff replaced Kim Garth, Sianna Ginger replaced Amy Edgar, and Lucy Hamilton, in the starting 11 for Australia A, while wicket-keeper batter Nandini Kashyap replaced Dhara Gujjar, Tanusree Sarkar replaced Prema Rawat, and Shabnam Shakil replaced Titas Sadhu in the starting 11 for India A.
Shafali Verma’s fifty, Yastika Bhatia’s 42 helped India A post a fighting 216
The India A openers, Nandini Kashyap and Shafali Verma, got their side off to a solid start with an 86-run opening stand, poised for a strong total on the board. Skipper Tahlia McGrath broke the ominous stand by sending Shafali Verma (52 off 59 balls) back to the pavilion in the 19th over of the innings to provide the first breakthrough for Australia A.
The middle order failed to capitalise on the platform, and the Radha Yadav-led side was reduced to 89/3 in the 21st over of the innings. Yastika Bhatia joined Raghvi Bist at the crease, and the duo led some sort of a recovery with a much-needed 46-run partnership for the 4th wicket to take their side closer to the 150-run mark. Sianna Ginger broke the stand, by sending Raghvi Bist (18 off 32 balls) back to the pavilion in the 30th over of the innings to provide the 4th breakthrough for her side.
Another vital 34-run stand between Tanusree Sarkar and Yastika Bhatia for the 5th wicket, providing a solid platform for a strong finish. Skipper Tahlia McGrath returned and picked up the wicket of Yastika Bhatia (42 off 54 balls) back to the pavilion in the 37th over of the innings to provide the 5th breakthrough for Australia A. The departure of Yastika Bhatia triggered a collapse as India A were eventually bundled out for 216, with 14 balls to spare.
Nandini Kashyap (28 off 53 balls), Tanusree Sarkar (17 off 22 balls), skipper Radha Yadav (18 off 22 balls), and Tanuja Kanwer (15 off 18 balls) chipped in with vital contributions with the bat for India A. Skipper Tahlia McGrath (8-0-40-3), Ella Hayward (10-0-43-2), Anika Learoyd (3-0-16-2), Sianna Ginger (8.4-0-50-2), and Lucy Hamilton (10-2-34-1) were significant contributors with the ball for Australia A.
Alyssa Healy’s unbeaten century guides Australia A over the line
Chasing a target of 217, the Australian A openers, Tahlia Wilson and Alyssa Healy, got their side off to a flying start, with an emphatic 137-run opening partnership. Skipper Radha Yadav broke the stand, by sending Tahlia Wilson (59 off 51 balls) back to the pavilion in the 17th over of the run chase to provide the first breakthrough for India A.
However, the presence of the experienced Alyssa Healy ensured that there were no further inroads as Rachel Trenaman (21* off 32 balls), alongside Alyssa Healy (137* off 84 balls), guided Australia A over the line with 9 wickets in hand and more than 20 overs to spare. Alyssa Healy (137* off 84 balls) notched up a breezy century for her side. Skipper Radha Yadav (6-0-42-1) was the only wicket-taker with the ball for India A. The One Day series ended as (2-1) in India’s favour.
