Australia Women clinched the three-match ODI series 2-0 with a commanding five-wicket victory over India Women in the second ODI at Bellerive Oval on Thursday. Chasing 252, the hosts stormed to 252/5 in just 36.1 overs, finishing the game with 83 balls to spare.
The chase was headlined by a sensational unbeaten century from Georgia Voll, who smashed 101 off 82 deliveries. Phoebe Litchfield provided equally aggressive support with a fluent 80 off 62 balls as Australia dominated the contest after an early setback.
Opting to bat first, India began brightly in ideal batting conditions. Openers Pratika Rawal (52 off 81) and Smriti Mandhana (31 off 37) stitched together a solid 78-run stand, laying a promising foundation.
However, momentum shifted dramatically in the middle overs. India lost five wickets for just 52 runs, derailing their innings. A costly mix-up resulted in Rawal’s run-out shortly after reaching her half-century, triggering the collapse.
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur anchored the latter half of the innings with a composed 54 off 70 balls, striking two boundaries and a six. She found valuable support from Kashvee Gautam (25 off 34), with the duo adding 55 runs for the seventh wicket to push India to a competitive 251/9.
For Australia, Alana King (2/41), Ashleigh Gardner (2/39), and Annabel Sutherland (2/37) shared the bulk of the wickets, applying consistent pressure through the middle overs.
Australia’s chase began with an early blow as skipper Alyssa Healy fell for 6. But from there, Litchfield and Voll seized control.
Litchfield played with authority, striking 11 fours and a six in her 80-run knock before being bowled attempting an audacious scoop. Voll, meanwhile, anchored the innings brilliantly, combining timing with power to register her maiden ODI century.
Her unbeaten 101 ensured there were no late hiccups, while Ashleigh Gardner sealed the win in style, dispatching Sree Charani for a boundary on the first ball of the 37th over to complete the chase.
India Women vs Australia Women 2nd ODI: Playing XI
India XI: Smriti Mandhana, Pratika Rawal, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Richa Ghosh (wk), Deepti Sharma, Amanjot Kaur, Kashvee Gautam, Sree Charani, Kranti Gaud, Vaishnavi Sharma
Australia XI: Alyssa Healy (c), Phoebe Litchfield, Georgia Voll, Beth Mooney (wk), Annabel Sutherland, Ashleigh Gardner, Tahlia McGrath, Nicola Carey, Alana King, Megan Schutt, Darcie Brown