Half-centuries from Meg Lanning and Nicole Bolton trumped a maiden hundred from Smriti Mandhana, as Australia Women gunned down 253 against India Women to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the ODI series.
India, opting to bat, lost their opener Thirush Kamini off the very first ball of the match, but Mandhana and the captain Mithali Raj led a recovery, batting together for 31 overs to put up a 150-run partnership. Mandhana struck 11 fours for her 102, while Raj played the more patient foil, stroking 58 off 98 balls. However, a flurry of wickets towards the end halted India’s charge, as despite a 33-run blast from Shikha Pandey, the visitors could only manage a total of 8 for 252. Ellyse Perry was the pick of Australia’s bowlers, collecting 3 for 54.
Australia began their chase on the front foot, as their openers Lanning and Bolton scored at more than six an over right from the off, stringing together a 138-run association. Bolton struck 77 and Lanning scored 61, as the pair stayed together at the crease for 22.3 overs. Four wickets in quick succession briefly threatened to derail Australia’s chase, but Jess Jonassen (29*) and Alyssa Healy (29*) guided the team home inside 47 overs.
