NewKerala.com

Key Points

Australia delivered a dominant batting performance to secure an eight-wicket victory over India in the first ODI. Phoebe Litchfield set the tone with a sparkling 88 runs before Beth Mooney and Annabel Sutherland finished the chase comfortably. India's fielding proved costly as they dropped four catches, including two early chances to dismiss Litchfield. The win gives Australia perfect start to their World Cup preparations while India will need to improve their bowling and fielding for the remaining matches.

Key Points: Mooney Litchfield Lead Australia to 8-Wicket ODI Win Over India

  • Phoebe Litchfield scored brilliant 88 off 80 balls with 14 boundaries
  • Beth Mooney's unbeaten half-century guided Australia to comfortable victory
  • India's poor fielding cost them with four dropped catches
  • Annabel Sutherland contributed crucial fifty in 100+ partnership with Mooney
3 min read

Mooney, Litchfield shine as Australia clinches eight-wicket win over India in 1st ODI

Beth Mooney and Phoebe Litchfield shine as Australia chase down 282 with ease against India in first ODI. Clinical batting display secures 8-wicket victory.

"A comprehensive win for Australia. They chased down 281 with almost 6 overs to spare. - Match Report"

New Chandigarh, September 14

A pure batting display from Australia secures them a clinical eight-wicket win against India in the first ODI to kick off their World Cup preparations in New Chandigarh on Sunday.

A comprehensive win for Australia. They chased down 281 with almost 6 overs to spare. Annabel Sutherland added a 100+ stand with Beth Mooney to close the game out.

Australia skipper Alyssa Healy and Phoebe Litchfield opened the innings while chasing 282. The duo stitched 45 runs for the opening wicket before Kranti Goud got the better of Healy for 27 off 33 balls, and Ellyse Perry joined Litchfield in the middle.

Litchfield in the 15th over crossed her 50-run mark. In the 16th over, Australia crossed the 100-run mark after Phoebe Litchfield drove the ball towards wide long-off for a single.

Ellyse Perry walked off the field after making 30 runs off 38 balls. She had a calf strain and was unable to continue after trying out a few balls. Beth Mooney replaced her.

After a brilliant innings, Litchfield was removed by Sneh Rana in the 27th over, for 88 runs off 80, including 14 fours, and Annabel Sutherland joined Mooney in the middle.

Australia in the 33rd over completed 200 runs with Beth Mooney 39 (38) and Annabel Sutherland 16 (20) on the crease. Mooney brought up her fifty with barely breaking a sweat and raced to a 45-ball half-century.

Following Mooney's fifty, Australia started to increase the scoring rate, finishing the game in 44.1 overs, with Annabel Sutherland also completing her fifty.

India just didn't turn up in the second innings. They were poor in the field, dropping four catches (two from Litchfield on 0 and 56) and numerous misfields.

Earlier in the match, India won the toss and opted to bat first. Openers Pratika Rawal (64 in 96 balls, with six fours) and Smriti started things off for India with a 114-run opening stand as both slammed fifties.

Harleen Deol (54 in 57 balls, with four boundaries and two sixes) also had a 46-run stand for the fifth wicket with wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh (25 in 20 balls, with two fours and a six), which helped India beyond the 200-run mark.

India scored 281/7 in their 50 overs. Megan Schutt (2/45) in seven overs was the leading bowler for Australia. Annabel Sutherland, Alana King and Tahlia McGrath also got a wicket each.

India will need to defend 282 runs to start off this three-match series with a win and put themselves in good standing ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup at home, starting from September 30 against Sri Lanka at Guwahati.

Also, Mandhana overtook New Zealand's Amy Satterthwaite to become the seventh-highest run-getter in ODIs. Mandhana achieved this milestone during her side's first ODI against Australia at New Chandigarh.

During the match, Mandhana played a fine knock of 58 in 63 balls, with six fours and two sixes. His runs came at a strike rate of 92.06.

Now in 106 ODIs, Mandhana has scored 4,646 runs at an average of 46.46, with 11 centuries and 32 fifties in 106 innings and a best score of 136, overcoming Satterthwaite (4,639 runs in 145 innings with seven centuries).

At the top of the ODI run-scoring is Indian legend Mithali Raj, with 7,805 runs in 232 matches and 211 innings at an average of 50.68, with seven centuries and 64 fifties and a best score of 125*.

Notably, this was also skipper Harmanpreet Kaur's 150th ODI, but she failed to score, making just 11 in nine balls.

- ANI

Share this article:

Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
What a clinical chase by Australia! Mooney and Sutherland were brilliant under pressure. Our bowlers had no answers once they settled in. Need better bowling plans for the next match.
P
Priya S
Congratulations to Smriti Mandhana on becoming 7th highest run-getter! 🎉 She played beautifully today. But we need other batters to step up when the top order gets out.
A
Aman W
Our bowling looked toothless today. No pressure on the Aussie batters at all. Where was the spin magic we're known for? Need to regroup quickly for the next game.
M
Michael C
Litchfield's innings was pure class! 88 off 80 with 14 fours - that's some serious hitting. Australia's batting depth is incredible even without Perry finishing.
N
Nisha Z
Good learning experience before the World Cup. Better to have these wake-up calls now than during the tournament. Hope Harmanpreet finds form soon - her experience is crucial for the team.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50