Mithali & Co. suffer 97-run defeat, lose series 0-3 to Aussies

Vadodara, March 18

The Indian women’s team suffered its most embarrassing series defeat in recent times as Australia completed a 3-0 rout with a comprehensive 97-run drubbing of the hosts in the third ODI.

Wicketkeeper-batswoman Alyssa Healy smashed her way to a brilliant 133 off 115 balls with the Southern Stars piling up a massive 332/7. In reply, India started off well, Jemimah Rodrigues (42 off 41 balls) and Smriti Mandhana (52 off 42 balls) adding 101 for the first wicket, but their fight fizzled out as they were bowled out for 235 in 44.4 overs.

Healy’s maiden ODI hundred ensured that Australia’s margin of victory was the biggest in the final ODI, as India’s campaign turned from bad to worse.

With Punam Raut dropped from the playing XI after her painful knock of 27 off 61 balls in the second ODI, Rodrigues opened with Mandhana. They did try their bit, hitting 17 boundaries between them as India passed 100 in 13.3 overs. 

However, off-spinner Ashleigh Gardner removed both Rodrigues and Mandhana off the next two balls. India were suddenly 101/2 in 13.5 overs, and the match turned decisively in Australia’s favour.

Skipper Mithali Raj (21) and her deputy Harmanpreet Kaur (25) added 46 runs for the third wicket but the target was well beyond their reach. Kaur hit four boundaries before edging one off seamer Nicola Carey to Healy behind the stumps. 

Deepti Sharma (36) and Sushma Verma (30) started off steadily but failed to finish the job as the hosts were all out for 235 in 44.4 overs. Gardner took three wickets while pacers Ellyse Perry and Megan Schutt claimed two wickets each.

Earlier, Australia lost their opener Nicole Bolton (11) after she was dismissed by left-arm spinner Ekta Bisht in the sixth over. However, Healy anchored the innings by playing a match-winning knock of 133 runs which was peppered with 17 boundaries and two sixes. 

Healy was assisted by vice-captain Haynes, who hit four boundaries, before the former fell to leg-spinner Poonam Yadav in the 41st over.

Brief Scores: Australia: 332/7 (Alyssa Healy 133; Harmanpreet Kaur 2/51); India: 235 in 44.4 overs (Smriti Mandhana 52, Jemimah Rodrigues 42; Ashleigh Gardner 3/39). — PTI