Published: Oct 15, 2018, 06:37 PM (IST)
Edited: Oct 15, 2018, 06:37 PM (IST)
Women’s Australia A team started their tour of India on a winning note beating India A women by 91 runs in the 1st Match of the unofficial three-match ODI series at the Bandra Kurla Complex, Mumbai, on Monday.
After opting to bat first Australia A women rode on 58 from top-order batsman Tahlia McGrath ably supported by Heather Graham (48) and Naomi Stalenberg (47), before the bowlers bundled out India A women 180 with Molly Strano picking 3 for 23.
Chasing 272 to win, India never got going finding themselves at 4 for 3, with opener Priya Punia (4) and Devika Vaidya (0) departing in the first over to Sammy-Jo Johnson.
Skipper Punam Raut failed to open her account and was picked up by Lauren Cheatle in the next over. India international Mona Meshram added 28 off 50 deliveries, but she failed to find any kind of support from the middle-order as Sushma Verma (9) and S Dibyadarshini (0) were picked up by Maitlan Brown cheaply.
Meshram fell to Strano as India were staring down the barrel at 55 for 6. However, India A women showed some resolve down the order with Shikha Pandey (42* off 54) and Preeti Bose (62* off 80) combining for a 60-run stand for the seventh wicket.
Pandey fell to Strano but Rajeshwari Gayakwad (17) put on 50-run stand with Bose for the ninth wicket to push India A women’s total past the 150-run mark. Samantha Bates completed the proceedings removing last batswoman Reemalaxmi Ekka for 2 as India A women slumped to a 91-run. Bose remained unbeaten on 62*.
Brief Scores: Australia A women 271/8 (Tahila McGrath 58, Heather Graham 48; Preeti Bose 3/42) beat India A women 180 (Preeti Bose 62*, Shikha Pandey 42*; Molly Strano 3/23) by 91 runs.
