In the second women’s one-day match played here on Friday, Australia A defeated India A with eight wickets thanks to opener Maddy Darke’s well-paced unbroken hundred and a masterful bowling display.
After winning the first game by four wickets, the home team had an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series with this victory.
Australia, who were chasing 219, were well-served by opener Katie Mack (68, 78 balls, 5x4s) and Darke (106, 115 balls, 7x4s), who combined to milk 131 runs for the first wicket in 22.4 overs.
As Australia amassed 221 for two in 40.2 overs, Tahlia McGrath was still undefeated at 32 (26 balls, 5x4s). 52 runs were made by the captain and Darke to make up the unbroken third wicket partnership.
When facing a group of excellent home team hitters, the Indian bowlers were completely out of the picture, but the Australian bowlers told a different tale.
Earlier, with two overs left, Australia bowled India out for a below-par 218 thanks to the joint efforts of Maitlan Brown, Nicola Hancock, and Charli Knott, who shared six wickets apiece.
After being reduced to 52 for three, India did, however, put up a fight, as Tejal Hasabnis (63, 86 balls, 4x4s) and Raghvi Bist (70, 93 balls, 4x4s, 1×6) helped the visitors hold off the Australian bowlers.
India achieved 176 for three in 40 overs thanks to a 124-run partnership between Hasabnis and Bist for the fourth wicket.
They were unable to take advantage of that advantage, though, as India lost the final seven wickets for 42 runs in just eight overs.
Brief scores:
India A: 218 all out in 48 overs (Tejal Hasabnis 63, Raghvi Bist 70; Maitlan Brown 2/36, Nicola Hancock 2/27, Charli Knott 2/49) lost to Australia A: 221 for two in 40.2 overs (Maddy Darke 106 not out, Katie Mack 68) by 8 wickets.
