Australian women outclassed India to complete a clean sweep in the three-match ODI series at Reliance Stadium in Vadodara. The Indian players were not just sluggish in the field but the bowling too was ineffective against a formidable batting side like Australia. Having won the toss, Australia chose to bat first but India surprised them by bringing the spinners early on. The strategy worked for the first few overs as Australia were restricted to 54 for two in 11over. But Aussie keeper Alyssa Healy took the attack to the opponents by scoring a blistering century off 94 balls. She first stitched an 89-run partnership with Ellyse Perry and then had 96-run stand with Rachael Haynes to put Australia in commanding position. At least half-a-dozen dropped catches and a missed stumping ensured that Aussies scored 332 runs for the loss of seven wickets.
“We didn’t bowl according to the plan. If the field is set on one side and the bowlers bowl on the other side, we can’t do much about it. Also, we don’t have big hitters lower down the order,” skipper Mithali Raj said. India sent in Jemimah Rodrigues to open the innings with Smriti Mandhana and the two weaved a 100-run partnership in 13 overs to keep India in hunt. But spinner Ashleigh Gardener removed them in back-to-back deliveries. India’s hopes were pinned on Mithali and Harmanpreet Kaur who played some fluent strokes. But Kaur departed in 22nd over with the score at 147 for three. With Mithali’s departure in 29th over, it was all downhill for India. The last five wickets fell for just 56 runs and Ekta Bisht couldn’t come out to bat as she had injured her finger. India were bowled out for 235 in 44.4 overs.
When asked if the 3-0 whitewash was a revenge for their loss to India in WC semis, Healy said, “There is a little bit of revenge in it. To get a 3-0 is really special.”
