Big defeat of Indian team in first ODI against Australia

Veteran opener Rachel Haynes (93) and skipper Meg Lanning (53) put on a scintillating unbeaten knock and 101 run partnership as the Indian women’s cricket team suffered a major defeat in the first ODI against Australia here on Tuesday. With this win, Australia took a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Electing to bat after losing the toss, the Indian team scored 225 for the loss of eight wickets in the stipulated 50 overs. In reply, hosts Australia scored 227 runs in 41 overs to win the match by nine wickets thanks to the brilliant innings of all three openers. Chasing the law score, opening pair Rachel and Alyssa Healy gave Australia a good start. The duo put on a crucial 126-run partnership for the first wicket, which almost ensured Australia’s victory. Another great partnership between Rachael and captain Meg came after Alyssa was dismissed for 126. The two shared a 101 run partnership for the second wicket, which gave Australia a one-sided victory. Rachel scored an unbeaten 93 off 100 balls with the help of seven fours, Alyssa scored 77 off 77 balls with the help of eight fours and two sixes and Meg scored 53 not out off 69 balls with seven fours.

Earlier, Australia bowled well and restricted India to a low score of 225. Darcy Brown top-scored with four, while Sophie Molineux and Hannah Darlington took two wickets each. For India, captain Mithali Raj scored 63 runs in 107 balls with the help of three fours. Apart from him, Yastika Bhatia scored 35 and wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh scored 32 runs. India’s bowling was also a flop after not being able to put up a challenging score in batting. Only Poonam Yadav took a wicket while all other bowlers failed. Darcy Brown was adjudged ‘Player of the Match’ for taking four wickets for 33 runs in nine overs.