INDW vs AUSW 1st ODI: Megan Schutt’s Five-For Hands Australia An Easy 5-Wicket Victory Over India

INDW vs AUSW 1st ODI: Australian pacer Megan Schutt claimed a five-for to help the team bundle India out for just 100 runs as Australia cruised to an easy win in the ODI series-opener.

INDW vs AUSW 1st ODI: Australia Women defeated India Women by five wickets in the 1st INDW vs AUSW ODI of the three-match series at the Allan Border Field in Brisbane on December 5 (Thursday). India, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, batted first and could not build a single partnership, eventually getting dismissed for just 100 runs. Australia, despite facing a mini hiccup, cruised to victory by five wickets.

After putting Australia in to bowl first, India got off to a rocky start as they lost their first wicket in Smriti Mandhana in the third over. Priya Punia could not contribute much either as he got dismissed for just three runs. Both the openers were dismissed by Australian quick Megan Schutt. Harleen Deol tried to stabilise India’s innings but fell after adding 19 runs to the scoreboard. From thereon, there was no coming back for the Indians as Australia bowled the Women in Blue for just 100 runs in 34.2 overs.

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Australia Cruise To Victory Despite Resistance By Renuka & Priya

Chasing 101, Phoebe Litchfield and Georgia Voll got the hosts off to a steady start. However, Renuka Singh provided the hosts their first wicket as they got rid of Litchfield, rendering Australia 48-1 in 6.5 overs. Renuka continued her impressive spell as she got rid of Ellyse Perry and Beth Mooney both in quick succession. Priya Mishra provided a good supporting hand to Renuka as she dismissed Annabel Sutherland and Ashleigh Gardner cheaply but Australia were already 97 by that point in time, requiring only four more runs for win.

Tahlia McGrath scored a boundary and hit the winning runs, taking Australia to an easy victory.

At the post-match presentation, India captain Harmanpreet Kaur praised India's bowling despite a low total but highlighted the batting improvements needed for the team.

“We bowled really well today even though it was a small total. We believed our bowlers can take wickets. We were still able to take five wickets. Few of us got starts in batting, we were not able to take that to the end, those things we need to think about. About partnerships and getting a good total on the board, we’ll reflect on these things. It was our first game here, we know how the pitch will play now, we’ll play on the same pitch next game. We have some clear idea now, will discuss these things in the team meeting and come out with a positive approach,” she said.