India Women will look to level the three-match series by winning against Australia Women on 24 September, in the second ODI at the Harrup Park in Mackay. Though it is not going to be an easy task for against the Australian juggernaut, who have won the series opener by nine wickets to extend their record-breaking ODI winning streak to 25.
The first ODI, which took place at the same venue on 21 September, was a one-sided affair. After India were asked to bat, Darcie Brown did the most damage with the ball for Australia, including key wickets of Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana inside her first three overs. Ellyse Perry looked rusty and Tahlia McGrath went for runs, but the rest provided the support Brown required.
Yastika Bhatia, who came to bat at No. 3 in absence of injured Harmanpreet Kaur, showed composure on her debut. Mithali Raj scored 63, but took 107 balls. Richa Ghosh was the most impressive among all, striking three fours and a six in her unbeaten 29-ball 32 to take India to a respectable 225/8.
To defend such a sub-par total against the dominant Australians, the Indian bowlers needed to put up something. But barring Jhulan Goswami, they bowled wayward in most parts of the innings, and Australia's top three – Rachael Haynes, Alyssa Healy, and Meg Lanning – took full advantage, and chased down the target with nine overs to spare.
India may bring Jemimah Rodrigues in for Pooja Vastrakar here. Rodrigues batted aggressively in the inaugural edition of the Women's Hundred, and is expected to make the cut. Australia, on the other hand, are unlikely to make any change from their winning combination once Haynes recovers from her elbow injury.
Probable XIs
Australia Women: Meg Lanning (c), Alyssa Healy (wk), Rachael Haynes, Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney, Ashleigh Gardner, Tahlia McGrath, Sophie Molineux, Georgia Wareham, Hannah Darlington, Darcie Brown.
India Women: Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Yastika Bhatia, Jemimah Rodrigues, Mithali Raj (c), Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (wk), Sneh Rana, Jhulan Goswami, Meghna Singh, Poonam Yadav.
Betway Fantasy Tips
- Make Deepti Sharma captain. She made little impact with both bat and ball last time, but will not disappoint again.
- Include both Ghosh and Healy among wicketkeepers.
- Back Mandhana and Verma. If India manage to pull one back, they will definitely play a role.
Prediction
India Women may roar back to win this contest, and level the series 1-1.
Blitzpools Fantasy Tips
Deepti Sharma (c), Richa Ghosh, Meg Lanning (vc), Alyssa Healy,, Rachael Haynes, Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Mithali Raj, Georgia Wareham,Darcie Brown, Jhulan Goswami.
