3rd ODI, Mackay, September 26, 2021, 05:35 AM
264/9(50.0ov)
266/8(49.3ov)
India Women beat Australia Women by 2 wickets
That's all we have from this game! The ODI series is done and Australia see their winning streak come to an end at 26 and that too against the team this streak first started. We now move on to a one-off Day and Night Test with the multi-format series nicely poised at 4-2 in favour of Australia Women. That match will begin from 30th September at 4.00 pm local (6.00 am GMT). But you know the drill, don't you? The build-up will begin much in advance. Do join us for that. Till then, goodbye and ta-da!
The India Women captain, Mithali Raj says, that they were confident today and are very happy that they are the ones to end the streak of the Aussies. She adds that the middle order made valuable contributions and mentions a few names and also acknowledges Sneh Rana's cameo to be a very important one. Also adds that they played well in the second match and were a bit unlucky and is happy that they got to chase in this match, which helped them but says that they will look to be confident while posting scores in the future as well.
Meg Lanning, the Aussie skipper says, that they had their chances but could not take it. Says full credit to India as they came out with positive intent with the bat and bowled well as well. Mentions that they deserved the win. Tels that they didn't get the win but there were a lot of positives from the match. Informs that Sophie is a tough character and was brave to bowl those last few overs.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH, Jhulan Goswami says, that they were just trying to make it till the end and finish the game. Mentions that they lost their last match with a narrow margin so her plan was to bowl on good lengths and execute it well. Tells that she knew spinners will come into play as well. Adds that as a senior player, her role was to take positives and give her best in the field. Informs that there are a lot of aches in her body and needs time to recover but they are looking forward to the pink-ball Test match.
...THE PRESENTATION...
Right then, Meg Lanning opted to bat first and a solid show from the middle order saw them post a par score of 264 runs in the end. India Women came out quick off the blocks and the top-order clicked but it was really the lower order that got them over the line and they have won an absolute nail-bitter. Don't go anywhere as the presentation ceremony is up next..
The Australian Women snatched victory last time on and that is a result of their character, which they showed once again today. But it was not to happen today. After Mandhana’s wicket, their bowlers found it difficult to create chances but the fielding was top-notch and they didn’t give away cheap runs. Sophie Molineux and the debutant, Stella Campbell then came back on and got rid of the two set batters. This was the turning point as they knocked off the skipper soon after and left India Women staring at defeat. Sophie Molineux played through pain and even stepped up for the final over. With just 4 to defend she wasn't able to deliver but it was always going to be a bit too much. Australia Women will be disappointed with crucial catches they dropped in the final overs, which led to this shock defeat.
India Women lost their talisman, Smriti Mandhana after a brisk start. After the early setback, Shafali Verma and Yastika Bhatia took it upon themselves to steer the innings in the right direction. The pair put on a 101-run stand before Verma got dismissed. Verma looked twitchy as she made an uncharacteristic half-century but Bhatia played some shots that had a bit of flair. When Bhatia got dismissed, the rest followed suit. Then Deepti Sharma came in and held the innings together but in the end it was the contribution from Sneh Rana and Jhulan Goswami that made the difference as India Women chased down their highest ever total in ODIs.
India Women have snatched victory off Australia Women’s hands in the end. Celebrations in the Indian camp and Australia Women have seen their streak come to an end after 26 wins.
In over# 50
4
1
0
Sophie Molineux 41/1(9.3)
49.3
4
FOUR! And that's the game! Jhulan Goswami punches the air in ecstasy. Tossed up on off and Goswami decides to step out and she clears mid off with ease. The ball trickles down into the fence. INDIA WOMEN WIN BY 2 WICKETS!
49.2
1
This is floated up, full and on middle. Singh sweeps again and gets it to the right of mid-wicket for a single. 3 needed now off 4 balls.
49.1
.
Tossed up, on middle and Singh sweeps it straight to short mid-wicket. Dot ball.
Sophie Molineux will bowl the final over.
In over# 49
1
1
0W
0
1
1
Nicola Carey 42/1(7)
48.6
1
Full and straight, Singh gets it down to long on and picks up a run. 4 needed off 6 balls.
48.5
1
Full and on off, Goswami pushes it to mid off and takes off for a quick single.
The new batter in is Meghna Singh.
48.4
W
OUT! TAKEN! Sneh Rana will be so disappointed with that shot. Length ball, on middle and leg. Rana looks to tuck it round the corner but ends up getting a top edge. The ball is skied towards deep backward square leg and it is dipping. The substitute fielder, Hannah Darlington races in from the boundary and dives in to take a stunner. This game just keeps swinging like a pendulum.
