It was a Super-Sunday at Manuka Oval, Canberra when the home side Australia were up against the table-toppers India in the Commonwealth Bank tri-series. As the trend continued, Australia won the toss and put India to bat on a hot sunny day. Meg Lanning was out of the contest with a shoulder niggle and Rachael Haynes took up the leadership responsibilities.
India had a disastrous start losing opener Shafali Verma (5 off 3) early. But Smriti Mandhana (35 off 23) played a decent hand in keeping the scoring rate intact for the Indians with a conspicuous partnership with skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (28 off 32). But it was Ellyse Perry ( 4-13) who was fantastic with the ball and picked up 3 wickets in one over and completely denting the Indian middle-order and not letting the Indian side to open their arms and score freely. Tayla Vlaeminck ( 3-13) too was incredible with the ball ending up with a 3-fer.
Career-best bowling figures for Tayla Vlaeminck, who finished her four overs 3-13 👏💨 #CmonAussie pic.twitter.com/eyQo6A3PAE
— Australian Women’s Cricket Team 🏏 (@AusWomenCricket) February 2, 2020
Indian batters just were never in the mix and did not get partnerships going as they kept losing wickets at regular intervals and could only manage 103-9 at the end of 20 overs.
With less than 6 an over required for the chase, Australia came out to bat and did not have a great start either. They lost openers Alyssa Healy (1 off 5) and Beth Mooney (6 off 13) pretty early and looked shaky at the start. But it was the No.1 all-rounder in the world, Ellyse Perry putting on a show for everyone with the bat scoring 49 off 47 and never letting India have the upper hand in the game. India did manage to take the game deep but Perry’s innings was too good and denied India their second victory as Australia finished the game with 7 balls to spare and won the game by 4 wickets. Rajeshwari Gayakwad was the pick of the Indian bowlers as she picked 2-18 in her 4 overs with the other four picking one wicket each.
4-13 ✅
Handy catch ✅
Match winning 49 ✅Good day for @EllysePerry 🤩 pic.twitter.com/lQPF8Yu3qe
— Australian Women’s Cricket Team 🏏 (@AusWomenCricket) February 2, 2020
Ellyse Perry for her incredible all-round performance won the player of the match and this victory for Australia means that all 3 teams in this tri-series end up with 2 points each after 2 games as the carnival now moves to The Junction Oval, Melbourne with all three teams tied up on 2 points which makes things even more interesting. India now faces England on the 7th of Feb and that will be an exciting contest as both teams will look to stay in the hunt and get another 2 points on the board.
Brief Scores:
INDW: 103-9 (20 overs) AUSW: 104-6 (18.5 overs) Result: AUSW won the game by 4 wickets
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