The 3rd and concluding ODI of the series saw the Indians defeat the Australian side and finally put a halt to the Australian women’s side’s 26 undefeated ODI run. Though it was a good day for the Indian team that had bounced back after two consecutive losses, the Australian squad saw another injury concern to their bowler Sophie Molineux.
On the last ball of the 39th over, Deepti Sharma sent the ball delivered by Annabel Sutherland to the fine-leg region. Stella Campbell swiftly fielded the ball and threw it back to the striker’s end. Molineux stood near the stumps to collect the ball but got hit in the face due to the strong but strange bounce of the ball. This resulted in a horrifying situation on the pitch and Molineux was rushed out of the field to get treated.
The courageous moment was when Molineux returned to the field with her mouth bandaged to complete her bowling innings. Despite the throbbing pain, she put up an amazing bowling performance in the death/last over of the match to make it difficult for India to win. Molineux bowled 9.3 overs in which she picked the dangerous wicket of Shafali Verma giving away 41 runs.
What a fighter, Sophie Molineux 💪
Gave her blood, sweat for the match 🙌#AUSvIND @SophieMolineux1 pic.twitter.com/JvhGdudSLG
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) September 26, 2021
Captain Meg Lanning spoke about Molineux’s courage, “I knew she’d be back out. She’s a pretty tough character. I think she’s going OK. She’s got a little bit of a cut on the lip there. It was pretty brave to come back out and bowl those last few overs. She’s a very important part of our team. She showed that at the back end there, in how tightly she can bowl in tough situations. Full credit to her for coming back out.”
Cricket.com.au put up a video of the unfortunate incident on their Twitter, “Sophie Molineux is off the field and getting checked out after copping a nasty bouncing ball to the mouth.” The comments section was filled with appreciation for her dedication and courage as well as speedy recovery wishes.
The Indians finally defeated the Australian team by wickets in the 3rd ODI on Sunday 26th September. Though Australia is still in the lead with a 2-1 score, their 26-unbeaten ODI record was finally broken by India, and history was created.
Lanning spoke on behalf of her side, “The rousing three-match ODI series has set the scene for a gripping battle in the traditional format. “It was a great contest all the way through the ODIs,” Lanning said. “We had our chances today. We probably were able to take them in the important moments, which was unfortunate, but full credit to India. They came out really well with the ball and kept fighting with the bat.”
Skipper Meg Lanning in all praise for Sophie Molineux who showed all the courage during 3rd ODI despite a nasty blow. #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/dypmdX3cmg
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) September 27, 2021
Indian ODI skipper Mithali Raj expressed her views on her team’s victory, “It was important for us, the way we bounced back. Even though we lost that match the other day, I think it really pepped up the girls and gave a lot of confidence to the entire unit. We’re feeling happy that we won. I was just telling the girls that the winning streak of the Australians started in 2018, against India, in India, and now we are the ones who broke that streak.”
Watch Sophie Molineux getting a nasty blow in her face
Sophie Molineux is off the field and getting checked out after copping a nasty bouncing ball to the mouth #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/fnvTmHPL0p
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) September 26, 2021
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