Middle-order fails as Indian eves lose to Aussies by six wickets

Mumbai, March 22

The Australian women’s team maintained their stranglehold over India with a record-equalling six-wicket victory in the opening encounter of the T20 tri-series.

The Southern Stars thus maintained their unbeaten record on the tour having outclassed the hosts 3-0 in the ODI series. The format changed from 50 to 20 overs but the familiar middle-order collapse continued for India. Opener Smriti Mandhana was the saviour, striking a stylish 67 off 41 balls, helping India post a decent total of 152/5 in 20 overs.

In reply, Australia equalled their highest-ever chase in the shortest format, comfortably winning in 18.1 overs despite a fine effort by veteran Jhulan Goswami (3/30). The biggest problem was that save Goswami, the seamers, Shikha Pandey (0/25) and Rumeli Dhar (0/28), remained ineffective.

The Indians bowled too many boundary-balls as they conceded 21 fours and one six in their innings.

Chasing 153, the Australia women were in some trouble at one point of time (29/2) as Goswami struck in her first and third overs, cleaning up Alyssa Healy (4) and Ashleigh Gardner (15). Opener Beth Mooney (45) found an able partner in  Elyse Villani (39) as the duo added 79 runs for the third wicket.

Earlier, Mandhana struck 11 boundaries and two sixes but the team failed to capitalise on a strong platform provided by her and Mithali Raj (18). Australia face England in the second game of the series on Friday.

Brief Scores: India women: 152/5 in 20 overs (Smriti Mandhana 67; Ashleigh Gardner 2/22); Australia women: 156/4 in 18.1 overs (Beth Mooney 45; Jhulan Goswami 3/30). — PTI