From 158/4 to 214 all out, Australia A's collapse against India A's spin duo Radha Yadav and Minnu Mani led to their 3-wicket defeat in One-Day series opener. After a whitewash in three-T20 series, India A opened their win account on Australia tour at Brisbane on August 13.
Pacers strike early, big names fail
Skipper Tahlia McGrath won the toss and elected to bat first. Titas Sadhu drew first blood as she knocked over Tahlia Wilson in the fifth over. Then, Shabnam Shakil got rid of Alyssa Healy in the sixth over. Skipper McGrath could not contribute either as she got bowled by left-arm spinner Radha in the 12th over. The partnership for the fourth wicket between Rachel Trenaman and Anika Learoyd was brewing but the former was run out in the 24th over. Trenaman departed for a 62-ball 51.
Learoyd runs out of partners, misses ton
Nicole Faltum got a start but could not convert it into a big score. She was knocked over by Mani for a 33-ball 18. On the next ball, she dismissed Tess Flintoff as well. Then, Radha got into the act and dismissed Sianna Ginger and Ella Hayward in consecutive overs. Kim Garth provided support as slog overs approached. She shared a crucial 34-run partnership for the ninth wicket with Learoyd who did bulk of the scoring. Lucy Hamilton resisted for a while but she got bowled by Sadhu. Australia A were bowled out for 214 in 47.5 overs. Learoyd missed a chance to score century. She remained unbeaten for 92 off 90 balls, including eight fours and a six.
Yastika hits fifty, openers fire in first powerplay
India's run chase got off to an ideal start. Yastika and Shafali Verma dominated the pacers. They shared a 77-run partnership from 64 balls. Ginger broke the partnership with Shafali's wicket. She scored 36 runs from 31 balls, including five fours. Yastika tried to play the anchor role. She shared a 63-run partnership for the second wicket Dharra Gujjar. Flintoff ended Gujjar's stay at the crease. She scored 31 runs from 53 balls. A few overs later, Yastika was bowled by Garth. The opener scored 59 runs from 70 balls, featuring seven fours.
India lose wickets but get over the line
India suffered a mini collapse. From 140/2, they were 204/7. Hayward got the wickets of Tejal Hasabnis and Tanusree Sarkar in consecutive overs. Skipper Radha and Raghvi Bist shared a 29-run partnership. Lucy Hamilton got the wicket of Radha. She contributed 19 runs from 28 balls. Hamilton also got the wicket of Mani. But, Bist ensured there is no anti-climax. Her 32-ball 25 helped India A get over the line in 42 overs.
India A took a 1-0 lead in the series. The next game will be played at the same venue on August 15.