In a remarkable display of cricket prowess, the Australia A women’s team demolished the India A women’s team by seven wickets in the third Twenty20 match held at Allan Border Field in Brisbane on Sunday, August 11, thus clinching a comprehensive 3-0 series win.
Having opted to field first, Australia struck gold immediately with right-arm fast bowler Tayla Vlaeminck uprooting opener Shubha Satheesh for a duck on just the second ball of the game. This early breakthrough set the tone for a highly disciplined and effective Australian bowling performance.
The pressure mounted quickly on the Indian side as Charli Knott, a right-arm off-break bowler, made an instant impact. Knott dismissed Priya Punia, leaving India floundering at 21/2 after 5.3 overs. This early setback proved pivotal as the Indian team never quite managed to gain a foothold in their innings.
India A witnessed a quick succession of wickets and by the eighth over, they had already lost half their team with the score reading a meager 47. The hosts were in a commanding position, dominating the proceedings and eyeing a significant collapse of the Indian side. However, a glimmer of hope emerged as skipper Minnu Mani and Kiran Navgire joined forces at the crease.
The partnership between Mani and Navgire was a game-changer, albeit temporarily. Mani played an anchoring role, scoring 22 runs from 23 deliveries, inclusive of two fours and a six. On the other hand, Navgire injected some much-needed momentum into the Indian innings. Displaying an aggressive approach, Navgire, who represents UP Warriorz in the Women’s Premier League (WPL), played a blistering knock of 38 at an impressive strike rate of 190.00.
Navgire’s innings was studded with six boundaries and a towering six, bringing Inda A back into the contest, albeit briefly. She was dismissed two balls before the end of the innings, but not before helping her team post a competitive total of 120 runs.
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Despite these efforts, the Australian bowling attack remained relentless. Leg-break bowler Grace Parsons was particularly effective, bagging two wickets and receiving considerable support from Karynn Hancock and Maitlan Brown, who also claimed two wickets each.
Heading into the chase, Australia A needed to score at just over six runs per over, a target that seemed within reach given their recent form. Indian bowlers required early breakthroughs to make the chase competitive, but Tahlia Wilson and Katie Mack had other plans.
Wilson’s steady knock of 39 runs off 26 balls, combined with Mack’s brief but vital 10 off 11 balls, set Australia off to a solid start. By the time India managed to dismiss both openers, Australia had already set a robust foundation.
Captain Tahlia McGrath took charge of the innings and played a scintillating inning. Leading from the front, McGrath smashed a rapid 51 off just 22 balls, featuring a slew of boundaries, including eight fours and two sixes, ensuring there were no hiccups in Australia’s chase. Her strike rate of 231.81 demonstrated her aggressive intent and skill.
McGrath’s outstanding contribution saw Australia comfortably crossing the finish line, achieving the target with seven wickets and 27 balls to spare. This win not only showcased their dominance in the series but also highlighted individual excellence and team cohesion.
The comprehensive series win underscores the depth and talent present in the Australian side. For India A, it marks a series of lessons to be learned which they need to address and rectify in future outings.
The clean sweep victory provides Australia A with immense confidence looking forward as they continue to hone their skills and gather experience. For India A, it becomes essential to regroup, strategize, and come back stronger in future competitions. The series not only showcased thrilling cricket but also highlighted the growing competitiveness and talent in women’s cricket globally.
