Hobart: Top-order batsman Georgia Woll’s blistering century led Australia to a resounding 5-wicket win in the second Women’s ODI of the three-match series against India.
Despite her and opener Pratika Rawal’s half-centuries as Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur opted to bat first, the visitors managed to post 251/9 in their allotted 50 overs.
With the opening pair of Smriti Mandhana and Rawal putting on 78 runs, India got off to a steady start when Ashley Gardner was dismissed in the 17th over and bounced back with 31 runs off 37 balls with the help of 4 fours.
Rawal then put on a brief 20-run partnership for the second wicket with Jemima Rodriguez (11) before both were dismissed in successive overs, resulting in India slumping to 100/3.
The right-handed opener scored 52 runs off 81 balls with 6 fours.
Following a brief slump, Kaur oversaw India’s innings until Megan Shutt fell victim in the last over and scored 54 off 70 balls for the visitors with 2 fours and a six.
Kaur was joined by Kashvi Gowtham, Richa Ghosh and Kranti Goud who contributed 25, 22 and 19 runs respectively.
For Australia, Alana King, Annabelle Sutherland and Gardner took 2 wickets each and Nicola Carey and Shutt took one wicket each.
Chasing a target of 252, the home side comfortably chased down the total with 5 wickets and 83 balls to spare, aided by a second-wicket partnership between Phoebe Litchfield and Centurion Wall.
However, the hosts had a mixed start to their quest as they lost their skipper Alyssa Healy (six) for 21 in the fifth over.
However, the early setback did not faze Australia as Litchfield and Woll mounted a stunning comeback by putting on 119 runs for the second wicket in just 94 balls.
Gaut gave India the much-needed breakthrough as he dismissed Litchfield for 80 in the 20th over with the help of a dozen fours, including a six off 62 balls.
Until Kashwi Gowtham dismissed him in the 31st over, Woll was involved in another crucial partnership for Australia – a 82-run stand with wicketkeeper batsman Beth Mooney.
The right-handed batsman was Australia’s top scorer with 101 runs off 82 balls with 13 fours and a six, earning him the Man of the Match award.
Mooney followed it up in the next over, reducing the total to 223/4 after scoring 31 off 34 balls.
Gardner and Sutherland (10) then put on 25 runs for the fifth wicket to bring Australia within touching distance of victory before being dismissed by Deepti Sharma in the 36th over.
Sutherland’s performance did not create a sensation in Australia’s frantic run chase, and they eventually knocked the winning runs off the first delivery of the 37th over through Gardner, who remained unbeaten on 19 off 14 balls.
On the Indian side, Deepti and Kashvi took 2 wickets each and Kranti took one wicket.
Notably, the five-wicket win helped Australia take a 2-0 lead in the three-match home ODI series against India, the third of which is scheduled to be played at the same venue on Sunday.