Aussies face big run chase in Perry’s milestone match
Steve Larkin |
India have set Australia’s women cricketers a target of 177 runs to win the decider of their three-game Twenty20 series.
India, who won the series opener before Australia prevailed in game two, posted 6-176 at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night – the highest total in a women’s T20 international at the venue.
Opener Smriti Mandhana top-scored with a superb 82 from 55 balls, featuring in a 120-run partnership with No.3 Jemimah Rodrigues (59 from 46).
Australia, seeking a win in Ellyse Perry’s 350th international appearance, struck early when quick Kim Garth (1-25) dismissed Shafali Verma (seven) in the third over.
Mandhana and Rodrigues then produced their fine stand, powering the tourists to 1-86 at the midpoint of their innings.
The 29-year-old Mandhana registered her half-century from 38 balls by smacking Darcie Brown over the midwicket fence for six.
The duo continued to accelerate, with their 100-run union taking just 61 deliveries.
Rodrigues, on 43, was dropped by Phoebe Litchfield who couldn’t hold a tough diving chance from captain Sophie Molineux’s bowling.
The partnership was finally broken in the 17th over when Mandhana lofted Annabel Sutherland (2-34) into the legside only for Ash Gardner to make swift ground from deep midwicket and take a catch on the run.
Rodrigues posted her half-century from 41 balls as Richa Ghosh added late impetus with 18 from seven balls.
The nations meet again on Tuesday in Brisbane for the first of three 50-over fixtures, ahead of a Test match starting March 6 at the WACA Ground in Perth.
The trophy at the end of the multi-format series is decided on a points system, with two points for a T20 and 50-over victory and four points on offer for a Test triumph.
AAP