Yastika Bhatia's 84-ball 112 in vain, Australia A chase down 339 vs India A in last-over thriller

India A women captain Yastika Bhatia's 84-ball 112 went in vain as Australia A women sneaked a two-wicket win by chasing down massive target of 339 with three balls to spare. Chasing 339, Australia A skipper Tahlia Wilson, Anika Learoyd and Charli Knott scored fifties, Hayley Silver-holmes contributed 47 but in the end, Milly Illingworth's cameo helped them pull off a win in high-scoring affair at PCA IS Bindra Stadium, Mohali, on September 23.

Yastika slams rapid ton

Earlier, Yastika had won the toss and opted to bat first. In the sixth over, Priya Punia hit Tess Flintoff for four consecutive fours. Tanisha Singh tried to make up for dot deliveries as well. In the 11th over, Milly broke the partnership with Priya's wicket. The opener scored 36 runs from 32 balls. Yastika did not take much time to get going on a batting-friendly surface. On the other end, Milly struck again dismissing the other opener. Tanisha scored 37 runs from 49 balls. In the 24th over, Yastika reached her half-century from 44 balls.

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Yastika and Tejal Hasabnis looked to accelerate in the middle overs. In the 34th over, Yastika hit Charli for two fours and a six to reach her century from just 77 deliveries. In the 36th over, Darcie Brown broke the partnership with Yastika's wicket. The captain's knock of 112 was laced with 16 fours and a couple of sixes.

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Anushka finishes with flourish post-collapse

Anushka Sharma did not let the tempo fall as the slog overs approached. In the 40th over, Tejal completed her fifty from 60 balls. In the 43rd over, Lilly Mills got her wicket. Tejal scored 60 runs from 66 balls. Then, Darcie got rid of Niki Prasad for a six-ball duck. Darcie dismissed Minnu Mani for a single-digit score as well. Anushka went berserk in the slog overs. She reached her half-century with a six from 42 balls. She finished the innings with a boundary. Her 46-ball 60 including seven fours and two sixes helped India A post 338/6. On the other end, Sayali Satghare contributed with a run-a-ball 12.

Anika, Charlie make Aussies believe, Tahlia anchors

In the run chase, Nicole Faltum fell to Sayali in the seventh over for a 20-ball 12. Tahlia and Anika used the powerplay overs well, finding boundaries. In the 14th over, Anika hit a six off Vaishnavi Sharma to reach her fifty from 27 balls. In the next over, Minnu was introduced into the attack and she delivered with Anika's wicket. She scored 54 runs from 29 balls including nine fours and two sixes.

Charli tried to play Anika's role while Tahlia played the anchor role. The skipper reached her fifty from 49 balls in the 20th over. Charli did not take much time to get to her half-century as well. She hit Amandeep Kaur for a six to get to her fifty from 31 balls in the 23rd over. Once again, Minnu broke the partnership. Charli returned to the dressing room after scoring 63 runs from 37 balls including seven fours and three sixes. Katie Mack couldn't contribute much with the bat. She got out stumped to Vaishnavi, scoring just two runs from 12 balls. Then, Minnu got rid of Tahlia. The skipper scored 79 runs from 77 balls including eight fours. When she departed, Australia A were 220/5 after 30.3 overs.

Milly saves the day for Aussies

Tess and Hayley kept the run chase afloat. In the 43rd over, Niki got the wicket of Tess, caught and bowled. She scored 38 runs from 43 balls. Niki also dismissed Lilly who scored 12 runs from 11 balls. In the penultimate over, Sayali knocked over Hayley. She scored 47 runs from 51 balls. But, Milly stunned Sayali with two sixes from three balls. In the final over, the visitors needed just five runs to win. Niki started with a wide, bowled a dot and then Darcie took a single. Niki followed it up with a no ball. Milly hit a four off the free hit delivery to help Australia seal a thrilling two-wicket win.

Australia's win levelled the series 1-1. The decider will be played on September 25 at the same venue. In the first game of the series, India A had beaten Australia A by four wickets comprehensively.