×
×
Smriti Mandhana’s brilliant 105 off 109 balls gave India hope in their 299-run chase. Still, her dismissal triggered a collapse that dashed the team’s chances. Australia’s all-round stars, Annabel Sutherland and Ashleigh Gardner, delivered exceptional performances to counter Mandhana’s heroics and Arundhati Reddy’s efforts, securing a series sweep in scorching conditions at the WACA in […]
Smriti Mandhana’s brilliant 105 off 109 balls gave India hope in their 299-run chase. Still, her dismissal triggered a collapse that dashed the team’s chances. Australia’s all-round stars, Annabel Sutherland and Ashleigh Gardner, delivered exceptional performances to counter Mandhana’s heroics and Arundhati Reddy’s efforts, securing a series sweep in scorching conditions at the WACA in Perth.
Browse more current blogs at IPLbookmakers.
After being sent into bat, Annabel Sutherland rescued Australia from early trouble with a scintillating 110 off 95 balls, guiding the hosts to a formidable 298 for 6. India, seeking to chase down the second-highest total in women’s ODI history after struggling with the bat in the first two matches in Brisbane, faced an uphill battle.
Smriti Mandhana kept India’s hopes alive with a classy 105 off 109 balls, forming a steady partnership with Harleen Deol. However, her dismissal in the 36th over triggered a dramatic collapse, with India losing their last seven wickets for just 26 runs. Fresh off a half-century, Ashleigh Gardner dismantled India’s middle and lower order, claiming career-best figures of 5 for 30 to bowl the visitors out for 215 in the 46th over.
India’s chase started poorly as Richa Ghosh promoted to open for the second consecutive game, was bowled for 2 by Megan Schutt’s low delivery. Mandhana and Deol then steadied the innings, surviving several close calls as Australia faltered in the field. Ellyse Perry induced a false shot from Mandhana on 27, but Alana King dropped the catch at square leg, struggling to spot the ball in the sun. Sutherland and Schutt also missed opportunities to dismiss Deol, who was eventually caught and bowled by King in the 28th over. India’s chase unraveled despite their resilience, leaving Australia to claim a series sweep in style.
Annabel Sutherland shone again, claiming the crucial wicket of Harmanpreet Kaur for just 12, leaving India’s hopes pinned on Smriti Mandhana. Mandhana reached her ninth ODI century in the 35th over but was undone by Ashleigh Gardner, her frequent nemesis, who deceived her in the air and bowled her for the fifth time in ODIs. Mandhana’s dismissal triggered a dramatic collapse, with India unable to recover. Despite several dropped catches, Australia maintained their grip on the game, securing a hard-fought victory and extending their dominance over India at home.
Earlier, Australia recovered from 78 for 4 thanks to Sutherland’s outstanding 110, making her the first Australian woman to score an ODI century batting at No. 5 or lower. Georgia Voll and Phoebe Litchfield gave Australia a brisk start with a 58-run stand in the powerplay. Still, Arundhati Reddy turned the game with a devastating spell of 4 for 26, the third-best figures by a visiting bowler in Australia. She ripped through the top order, removing Voll, Litchfield, Ellyse Perry, and Beth Mooney, triggering a collapse of 4 for 20. However, Sutherland steadied the innings with support from Gardner and Tahlia McGrath, who hit half-centuries, helping Australia reach 298. India’s bowlers and fielders struggled in the intense 40-degree heat. At the same time, Harmanpreet’s decision to bowl first backfired as Australia capitalized on dropped chances and wayward bowling.
A desperate Harmanpreet Kaur deployed her four quicks early, turning to Titas Sadhu for an impact. Still, Arundhati Reddy made the breakthrough in the ninth over. With her precise swing and probing length, Reddy immediately troubled Georgia Voll and Phoebe Litchfield. She struck on the first ball after the powerplay with a superb inswinger that clean-bowled Voll for 26 off 30 deliveries.
Reddy continued to shine, dismissing Litchfield with a sharp edge caught by wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh and keeping Ellyse Perry under immense pressure. Coming off a scintillating 105 in the second ODI, Perry was subdued, surviving an lbw appeal before being bowled by a delivery that moved off the seam. Reddy capped her brilliant spell by removing Beth Mooney with another incisive ball, reducing Australia to 78 for 4 with figures of 4 for 10. However, her relentless eight-over spell left her visibly exhausted, forcing her to take a well-deserved breather.
Following a drinks break, Annabel Sutherland and Ashleigh Gardner counterattacked, swinging momentum back to Australia. Gardner brought up her first ODI half-century since July 2023 while showcasing her class; Sutherland accelerated in the final overs. Drawing on her experience from a Test double-century earlier at the WACA, Sutherland powered Australia to a commanding total, firmly shifting the game’s tide.
Read More: All-round Linde, Miller give South Africa 1-0 lead