It was a sheer lack of concentration in the field from the Indian women’s team in the second ODI against Australia as they let go of an easy win that would have helped them equalise the three-match ODI series.
Australia needed three on the last ball of the match where veteran Jhulan Goswami bowled a full toss to Nicola Carey who just swung the bat but only managed to give a catch to the fielder stationed around the square leg.
But to India’s misfortune, it was later called a no-ball by the third umpire for being waist height and the equation now came down to 2 off 1. Carey eventually completed a couple of runs on the last ball. But it wasn’t just the last-ball drama that led India to a defeat but it was also about awfully bad fielding efforts in the middle.
The fielders let the Australian batters steal away runs with sloppy fielding. The home side now has taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series while the Indian team would be looking for a consolation win.
Match Details
Match: Australia Women vs India Women, 3rd ODI
Date: 26th September 2021
Time: 05:35 AM IST
Venue: Harrup Park, Mackay
Pitch Report
The batters would have something on offer on this track while the bowlers will face some problems in getting the breakthroughs. Though, the pacers have been a bit successful at this venue. So, if you win the toss, bat first and try to put a good total on the board.
Team News
India: The Indian team were off to a decent start in the match after they posted a good total on the board and picked up early wickets to reduce Australia 52/4 but let the match slip away from them eventually. Some poor field placements from captain Mithali Raj made sure that Indians gave away easy runs in the middle and let the opposition take upper-hand. Another aspect that the team management needs to take a look at is Mithali Raj’s scoring rate. The right-hander has been among runs barring the last encounter but has been scoring runs at a slow strike-rate.
But there were some positives as well from the last clash. Openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma gave a steady start to the proceedings of which the team management has been striving for while the middle-order also chipped in with some valuable contributions.
Australia: Beth Mooney played a match-winning knock in the second game against India after she struck an unbeaten 125 while Tahlia McGrath’s all-round performance was something to watch out for.
Apart from these two Carey too played an important role after she steadied the ship for the hosts alongside Mooney and then took the team over the line. The Australian team is in some good form and would be looking to extend the winning streak.
Probable XI
Australia: Rachael Haynes, Alyssa Healy (wk), Meg Lanning (captain), Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney, Ash Gardner, Sophie Molineux, Annabel Sutherland, Tahlia McGrath, Hannah Darlington, Darcie Brown
India: Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Mithali Raj (captain), Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (wk), Pooja Vastrakar, Deepti Sharma, Jhulan Goswami, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Meghna Singh, Poonam Yadav
Fantasy XI
Alyssa Healy, Meg Lanning, Beth Mooney, Mithali Raj, Smriti Mandhana (VC), Shafali Verma, Tahlia McGrath (C), Pooja Vastrakar, Sophie Molineux, Darcie Brown, Jhulan Goswami