Indian team led by Mithali Raj suffered their third defeat of the ongoing ICC Women’s World Cup as they conceded a 6-wicket defeat against Australia, on March 19 (Saturday). Australia needed 8 runs to win from 6 balls but eventually Beth Mooney (30 not out off 20 balls) needed just three deliveries to secure the highest successful run chase by a team in a Women's World Cup.
The Meg Lanning-led Australia team won all their five matches in the ongoing Women's World Cup.
A good decision
Earlier, winning the toss, Australia skipper Meg Lanning decided to bowl first. The decision, initially seemed to pay off as the Indian team lost their two opening batters- Smriti Mandhana (10 runs off 11 balls) and Shafali Varma (12 runs off 16 deliveries) within the first 6 overs. Australia’s right-arm fast bowler Darcie Brown seemed to be in superb form as she dismissed both the opening Indian batters to earn a good start for her side.
But skipper Mithali and Yastika Bhatia (59 runs off 83 balls) notched a solid partnership of 130 runs off 154 balls to avert the early danger.
Mithali scored an amazing 77-ball half-century in the match. This half-century was her first fifty in this year’s Women’s World Cup and with it Mithali equalled the record for most half-century scores (or more) by a batter in Women's World Cup, standing along with former New Zealand cricketer Debbie Hockley. Mithali overcame former England cricketer Charlotte Edwards. The Indian skipper’s innings against Australia was comprised of 4 boundaries and 1 six.
Another record
Apart from this, the Indian skipper scored her eighth such score as a captain in the World Cup and this remains to be the most in the history of the Women’s World Cup. New Zealand's Suzie Bates is at second position with six fifty-plus scores.
Later, Harmanpreet Kaur scored a brilliant half-century (57 runs off 47 balls) to help her side in reaching a total of 277 for 7 in 50 overs. Harmanpreet's innings was comprised of 6 boundaries.
Brown later claimed another wicket as she conceded 30 runs, in 8 overs. Australia’s left-arm bowler Jess Jonassen picked up one wicket as their spinner Alana King claimed two wickets in the game.
In reply, Australia started their run chase on a positive note as their opening batters- Rachael Haynes (43 runs off 53 balls) and wicketkeeper Alyssa Healy (72 runs off 65 deliveries) registered a solid partnership of 121 runs. Eventually, Indian spinner Sneh Rana earned a vital breakthrough as she managed to dismiss Healy in the 20th over of the match.
Later, skipper Mag Lenning (97 runs off 107 balls) and Ellyse Perry (28 runs off 51 balls) notched another brilliant partnership of 103 runs off 123 balls to take their side to a comfortable position. Eventually, Mooney played a match-winning innings of 30 runs (not out) in securing a thrilling 6-wicket victory for Australia.
Australia are currently at the top spot in World Cup standings as Indian team find themselves at fourth position with four points from five matches.
