The multi-format series between India and Australian Women began today with Australia taking first of the 5 ODIs, winning by 9 wickets with 54 balls to spare.
It was an all-around performance by the home team with the young debutant Darcie Brown taking a 4-wicket haul and the bowling unit restricting India to 225 for 8 making it easy for the batters to clinch the victory. Australia achieved the target losing just one wicket with all the three batters making at least a half-century. Opener Rachael Haynes remained unbeaten 93 while the captain Meg Lanning on 53.
However, the best among the three was Wicket-keeper Batswomen, Alyssa Healy who scored 77 of 77 balls with 8 fours and 2 sixes taking herself to the 2000 ODI runs club in just 1954 balls joining her captain Meg Lanning who took 2069 balls to reach there.
Alyssa Healy brings up 2000 ODI runs from 1954 deliveries in 69 innings – becoming the first woman to reach the milestone at better than a run a ball.
Nat Sciver (2061) and Meg Lanning (2069) the previous quickest in terms of balls faced #AUSvIND
— Laura Jolly (@JollyLauz18) September 21, 2021
Not only did she reach the milestone but also became the first woman to reach the mark at a strike rate of over 100 and also achieved it in the fewest number of balls getting over England’s Natalie Sciver who took 2061 balls. Healy’s performance was commendable as she took almost every Indian bowler out of the boundary line and reached her half-century in 56 balls.
Fewest balls faced for 2,000 women’s ODI runs:
1954 Alyssa Healy (AUS)
2061 Natalie Sciver (ENG)
2069 Meg Lanning (AUS)
2301 Lizelle Lee (SA)Healy is the first woman to reach 2,000 at a 100+ strike rate.#AUSvIND
— hypocaust (@_hypocaust) September 21, 2021
India gave an achievable target to the hosts in their 50 overs, but the Indian fans still had the winning hopes alive with the team’s strong bowling power. However, the hope started diminishing as Australia’s opening pair got to an amazing start with the first wicket partnership going past 100.
🇦🇺’s Alyssa Healy completes 2000 ODI runs!
She achieved this feat during today’s game vs 🇮🇳, in her 80th ODI for Australia!
Congratulations @ahealy77 🥳#AlyssaHealy #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/fnSqn3nx5b
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) September 21, 2021
Before the start of this series, Healy said that she is inspired by India Men’s team Vice-Captain Rohit Sharma and would like to replicate his success in this series. Her performance today, the number of boundaries she hit are an indication of what she said, Rohit being referred to as the ‘Hitman of Indian Cricket’.
The 2nd ODI between the two is scheduled for Friday, 24th September from 10:40 AM IST. While Australia will try to maintain their 25 match ODI winning streak, India will work towards bouncing back stronger.
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