Australia Women Dominate ODI Series Against India Women

The ongoing One-Day International (ODI) series between Australia Women and India Women has showcased Australia’s supremacy in women’s cricket. In a best-of-three series held in Australia, the hosts have already secured the series 2-0 with one match remaining, displaying remarkable performances in both games.

First ODI: Australia Wins in Style

The first ODI, played at Allan Border Field in Brisbane on December 5, saw Australia claim a comprehensive five-wicket victory, with 202 balls to spare. India batted first but faltered dramatically, posting a paltry total of 100 runs. Megan Schutt spearheaded the Australian bowling attack, delivering a career-best performance with figures of 5/19. Her spell decimated India’s middle and lower order, triggering a collapse where India lost five wickets for just eight runs.

Jemimah Rodrigues was the sole Indian batter to show some resistance, scoring 23 runs, but her efforts were insufficient to anchor the innings. Australia chased down the target with ease, thanks to the solid contributions from Phoebe Litchfield (35) and debutant Georgia Voll (46 not out), who impressed in her maiden ODI appearance​

Second ODI: Australia Secures the Series

The second ODI, also held in Brisbane on December 8, was another one-sided affair, with Australia sealing a dominant 122-run victory. Electing to bat first, Australia amassed a mammoth total of 371/8, the highest ODI score against India. The innings was powered by centuries from Georgia Voll (101) and veteran Ellyse Perry (105), both showcasing masterful stroke play and partnerships that left the Indian bowling attack struggling.

India’s bowling unit, led by Saima Thakor (3/62), managed to take wickets in the latter stages but couldn’t stem the flow of runs. In their chase, India managed 249 in 44.5 overs. Opener Richa Ghosh (54) provided some hope with a fighting half-century, but the lack of substantial partnerships and disciplined Australian bowling ensured India was never in contention. Annabel Sutherland shone with the ball, taking 4/40 to dismantle India’s middle order​

Key Performers

• Australia: Georgia Voll has been a revelation, scoring consistently across the series, including a century in the second ODI. Megan Schutt’s devastating spell in the first game set the tone for Australia, while Ellyse Perry’s all-round performance continues to highlight her value to the team.
• India: Richa Ghosh and Harmanpreet Kaur have shown glimpses of form, but their contributions have not been enough to match the Australians’ dominance.

Strategic Gaps for India

India’s performances have been plagued by inconsistent batting and bowling. While their top order has struggled to build partnerships, the bowlers have failed to contain the aggressive Australian batters. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur acknowledged the team’s shortcomings and emphasized the need for better execution, particularly in batting out the full 50 overs and improving bowling plans​

Looking Ahead

The final ODI will take place in Perth on December 11. Although the series result is already decided, India will aim to regroup and end on a high note, addressing the evident gaps in their strategy. On the other hand, Australia will look to continue their dominance and secure a clean sweep​

Context in Women’s Cricket

Australia’s women’s team has been a benchmark in international cricket, with their consistent performances underlining their depth and talent. This series win against India extends their dominance, having won 10 of their last 11 ODIs against the same opposition. Meanwhile, India, despite having talented players, continues to struggle against high-pressure teams in foreign conditions.

The series highlights the stark contrast in execution between the two sides, with Australia combining experience and young talent effectively. Georgia Voll’s performance, in particular, exemplifies their ability to seamlessly integrate new players into their setup​

What’s at Stake

For India, the series serves as a crucial learning curve. They will need to address key concerns such as the fragility of their batting order and the inefficacy of their bowling in death overs. As both teams gear up for more international fixtures in 2024, this series serves as a reminder of the work needed to bridge the gap between them and the Australian juggernaut.

The final ODI is an opportunity for both teams: for Australia to assert their supremacy and for India to show resilience and adaptability under challenging circumstances.