Overview:
Australia, under new T20 captain Sophie Molineux, are clearly in a transitional phase.
India dominated with both bat and ball as they thrashed Australia by nine wickets in the opening Women’s T20I of the tour, with the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method coming into play. Pacer Arundhati Reddy starred with figures of 4/22, as Australia managed 133. The Indian bowling attack left the hosts reeling, wrapping up the innings with two overs remaining. In reply, vice-captain Smriti Mandhana remained unbeaten on 16 off 17 balls, supported by Jemimah Rodrigues, before rain brought play to a halt.
Play never got underway again, and India, sitting at 50/1 after 5.1 overs, were awarded the win. The DLS par score at that stage was just 29, confirming India’s dominant position.
Shafali Verma got the innings off to a flier, racing to 21 from just 11 deliveries, but Sophie Molineux claimed the breakthrough to halt her knock.
Earlier, Australia got off to a flying start, 22 runs in 2.2 overs, but Beth Mooney’s attempt to clear the infield off Renuka Singh ended up in a simple catch for Smriti Mandhana in the cover region.
The other opener, Georgia Voll, followed Mooney back to the pavilion after edging a wide delivery from Kranti Gaud straight to Richa Ghosh behind the stumps.
Ellyse Perry (20 off 11) and Phoebe Litchfield (26 off 19) rebuilt the innings with a 41-run stand for the third wicket. Just as the partnership looked threatening, Arundhati Reddy broke through, courtesy of skipper Harmanpreet Kaur’s sharp reflexes at cover.
India struck a decisive blow, claiming the wickets of Ashleigh Gardner (4) and Phoebe Litchfield to leave Australia reeling at 80/5 at the start of the 10th over.
Georgia Wareham (30 off 19) and Nicola Carey (12) put together a 41-run stand for the sixth wicket, temporarily halting India’s dominance. Wareham, however, misjudged a loose delivery from Arundhati and skied one down the leg side, leaving Australia reeling at 121/6 in the 14th over.
Carey’s resistance ended when she was bowled attempting a cut shot off a brisk delivery from Shree Charani. Renuka struck again, ending Annabel Sutherland’s stay in the middle. Australia, under new T20 captain Sophie Molineux, are clearly in a transitional phase.