Smriti, Kranti heroics hand Australia its biggest ODI defeat

A win against Australia in women’s cricket is always special. India’s 102–run victory in the second ODI is more than special, actually.

Not just because this was India’s first ODI victory at home against the undisputed queens of international cricket in 18 years, but also because it was four years ago that India won an ODI against them, at Mackay.

With the World Cup starting in less than a fortnight’s time, this win assumes even more significance. After the crushing eight-wicket defeat in the first match, the Women in Blue needed to bounce back. They did it in style, in front of a small but noisy crowd at the PCA Stadium on Wednesday night. This was Australia’s biggest defeat, by runs. And it ended India’s eight-game losing streak against Australia in ODIs.

The win was fashioned by another classy hundred from Smriti Mandhana (117, 91b, 14×4, 4×6). Her 12th ODI hundred helped Harmanpreet’s side post 292. That is India’s highest-ever total against the Australians, an improvement by 11 runs from the first ODI.

No total is safe against the powerful Australian batting line-up, but a steady all-round bowling effort by a revamped Indian attack, boosted by the return of Renuka Singh meant the chase was hardly on. That was also because of a much better fielding effort by the Indians after their disappointing show a couple of days ago.

Earlier the breakthrough was provided by Radha Yadav who caught Ellyse Perry off her own bowling summed up India’s show. You, of course, expect such efforts from the talented fielder.

The wicket of Perry was crucial. After the loss of openers Alyssa Healy and Georgia Voll inside five overs, it was Perry (44, 61b, 5×4) that led the visitors’ fightback.

The breakthrough was provided by Renuka, playing her first match for India since last December: she had Voll dragging an inside edge to the stumps. Once Annabel Sutherland (45, 42b, 4×4) was caught well at extra cover by skipper Harmanpreet Kaur off Arundhati Reddy, Australia’s hopes began to fade.

Earlier, it was almost a solo show by Smriti. The goddess on the off-side was severe on the leg-side. The only other to touch 30 was Deepti Sharma (40, 53b, 2×4).

Smriti and Pratika had given Indian another fine start – 70 , which came off in just 11 overs.