Darke’s ton sinks India A as hosts take unassailable lead

Mackay (Australia), August 16

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Opener Maddy Darke’s unbeaten hundred after a clinical bowling effort propelled Australia A to a smooth eight-wicket win over India A in the second women’s One-day match here today. With this victory, the Aussies took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

Chasing 219, Australia were well-served by Darke (106, 115 balls, 7x4s) and her opening partner Katie Mack (68, 78 balls, 5x4s) as the pair milked 131 runs for the first wicket in 22.4 overs. Tahlia McGrath remained not out on 32 (26 balls, 5x4s) as Australia made 221/2 in 40.2 overs. The skipper and Darke added 52 runs for the third-wicket alliance.

Earlier, Maitlan Brown, Nicola Hancock and Charli Knott produced a team effort as Australia bowled India out for a below-par 218.

However, India offered some fight after getting reduced to 52/3 and the visitors managed to resist the Aussie bowlers through Tejal Hasabnis (63, 86 balls, 4x4s) and Raghvi Bist (70, 93 balls, 4x4s, 1x6). Tejal and Raghvi put together a stand of 124 runs for the fourth wicket as India reached 176/3 in 40 overs. However, India lost the remaining seven wickets for 42 runs in eight overs.

Brief scores: India A: 218 all out in 48 overs (Raghvi 70, Tejal 63; Brown 2/36, Hancock 2/27, Knott 2/49); Australia A: 221/2 in 40.2 overs (Darke 106*, Mack 68). — PTI