Alyssa Healy had a bittersweet moment as she did not get the chance to bat one final time, but the Australian women’s team ensured their skipper’s international career ended on a winning note by thrashing India by 10 wickets on Day 3 of the one-off Test at the WACA Ground on Sunday.
With the emphatic victory, Australia also sealed the multi-format series with an unassailable 12-4 lead.
India had begun the tour on a positive note by winning the T20I series 2-1, but Australia bounced back strongly to sweep the ODI series. The hosts then extended their dominance by clinching the one-off Test to wrap up the overall series. With the defeat, India finished the tour with just two wins across formats.
Resuming Day 3 at 105/6 in their second innings, India relied on Pratika Rawal and Sneh Rana to rebuild the innings. The duo looked comfortable at the crease and played some confident strokes.
Rawal brought up her maiden half-century on Test debut in the 34th over, reaching the milestone in 105 balls. Australia finally broke the partnership in the 41st over when Ashleigh Gardner dismissed Rana for 30 off 54 balls.
India suffered another blow in the following over when Alana King removed Kashvee Gautam. With India struggling at 134/8, Rawal continued to counterattack and pushed the total closer to the 150 mark.
However, Australia wrapped up the innings quickly as Sayali Satghare and Rawal fell within three deliveries. India were bowled out for 149, with Rawal’s fighting 63 helping reduce the deficit and set Australia a modest target of 25 runs.
Australia completed the chase in just 4.3 overs without losing a wicket. Georgia Voll remained unbeaten on 16, while Phoebe Litchfield finished not out on 11 as the hosts sealed an easy victory.
Earlier in the match, India posted 198 in their first innings after being put in to bat, with half-centuries from Jemimah Rodrigues and a contribution of 35 from Shafali Verma. For Australia, Annabel Sutherland was the standout bowler with four wickets, while Lucy Hamilton picked up three.
In response, Australia piled up 323, powered by a match-defining 129 from Sutherland. Veteran all-rounder Ellyse Perry also chipped in with 76, helping the hosts secure a 125-run first-innings lead, which ultimately proved decisive.
Brief Scores:
India Women 198 & 149 (Pratika Rawal 63, Sneh Rana 30; Lucy Hamilton 3/32, Ashleigh Gardner 2/8) lost to Australia Women 323 & 28/0 (Georgia Voll 16*, Phoebe Litchfield 11*) by 10 wickets.