Australia Women and India Women will meet again on 26 September, for the third ODI at the Harrup Park in Mackay. Australia have already taken an unassailable 2-0 lead after a dramatic five-wicket win in the second ODI less than 48 hours ago.
Led by Meg Lanning, Australia are currently on a 26-match winning streak in ODI cricket. They snatched the victory from the jaws of defeat last time. Beth Mooney was the star of that 275-run chase. Mooney opened for the injured Rachel Haynes, and remained until the end to see off the target. It came after a marginal no-ball, which ruled off the final delivery of the contest.
India, on the other hand, will look to register a consolation win before moving to the one-off pink-ball Test, followed by three-match T20I series. They staged an improved show overall in the last match after a one-sided series opener, but still, the Australian juggernaut were too strong against them.
Australia are unlikely to make any change from their winning combination, and will look to extend their winning streak to 27. India, however, may bring in Jemimah Rodrigues to replace Pooja Vastrakar. Harmanpreet Kaur, who was sidelined in the opening two matches due to a thumb injury, is likely to miss out again.
The Mackay pitch has been batters'-friendly in both matches. Rain has not played spoilsport either. So, expect another high-scoring contest for the viewers.
Likely XIs
Australia Women: Meg Lanning (c), Alyssa Healy (wk), Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Ashleigh Gardner, Tahlia McGrath, Nicola Carey/Rachel Haynes, Sophie Molineux, Georgia Wareham, Hannah Darlington, Darcie Brown.
India Women: Mithali Raj (c), Richa Ghosh (wk), Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma/Jemimah Rodrigues, Yastika Bhatia, Deepti Sharma, Pooja Vastrakar, Jhulan Goswami, Meghna Singh, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Poonam Yadav.
Betway Fantasy Tips
- Back Australia again. Appoint McGrath captain. She contributed with both bat and ball last time, and will be looking to carry the momentum.
- Include both Ghosh and Healy among wicketkeepers.
- Sharma can be a safe vice-captain pick. Add Carey as well among all-rounders.
- Goswami, Yadav, and Brown are genuine wicket-taking options.
Prediction
Australia should complete 3-0 sweep.
Blitzpools Fantasy Team
Alyssa Healy, Richa Ghosh, Beth Mooney, Meg Lanning, Smriti Mandhana, Deepti Sharma (vc), Tahlia McGrath (c), Nicola Carey, Darcie Brown, Poonam Yadav, Jhulan Goswami.
