The Harmanpreet Kaur-led Indian women's team was fined 10% of their match fees for sustaining a slow over rate in their second ODI against Australia at the Allan Border Field in Brisbane, on December 8 (Sunday). Tahlia McGrath's Australia took a 2-0 lead as India lost the game by 122 runs and eventually even got whitewashed 3-0 at the hands of Aussies. ICC Match Referee David Gilbert penalized Harmanpreet Kaur's squad after India was found to be two overs short of the necessary target, even after taking time allowances into consideration.
India accepted the charges
The charges were made by on-field umpires Claire Polosak and Donovan Koch, third umpire Jacquline Williams, and fourth umpire David Taylor. Captain Harmanpreet accepted the charges and pleaded guilty, therefore there was no need for a formal hearing.
India was also guilty of violating over-rate offences under Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel. For each over in which a team does not bowl within the allocated time, players are penalized five per cent of their match money.
Australia whitewash India
India lost the third match by 83 runs to drop the series 0-3, having already lost both of their games in Brisbane. India was bowled out for 215 in 45.1 overs while chasing a challenging goal of 299. Smriti Mandhana became the first female batter to reach four ODI hundreds in a single year with a score of 105 from 109 balls.
However, Ash Gardner took home her first-ever ODI five-wicket haul and scored fifty, earning her the Player of the Match title. After Australia lost the first few wickets, Annabel Sutherland struck an incredible hundred. The sole bright spot for India in the bowling category was Arundhati Reddy. She quickly claimed four wickets, but her efforts were in vain. Sutherland's all-around skill earned her the Player of the Series award as well.
