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Australia women defeat India

Blackwell and Sthalekar set up an easy win

Sydney: The Indian women’s cricket team was thoroughly outplayed by Australia in the opening match of a five-match ODI series after the host romped home to a thumping eight-wicket win at the Hurstville Oval, here on Friday.

Chasing 184 for a victory, vice-captain Alex Blackwell (75) and Lisa Sthalekar (73) stitched together a 116-run partnership for the second-wicket to guide the host to an easy victory.

The visiting bowlers hardly troubled the Aussie batters as they achieved the victory target with 12.2 overs to spare.

The New South Wales duo was untroubled all through as they scored freely with well-placed shots and hard running between the wickets. Indian skipper and pacer Jhulan Goswami tried every trick but failed to make an impact.

Blackwell was finally dismissed in the 33rd over at an individual score of 75, bringing Karen Rolton to the crease, but it did not affect the scoring pattern as the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars cruised to a 1-0 series lead.

Earlier, the host produced a disciplined effort with the ball too. Had it not been for a 61-run partnership between Goswani (46) and Rumeli Dhar (35 not out) in the latter stages of the innings, India could not even have managed to post a respectable total.

Ellyse Perry and Emma Sampson shared three wickets between them in a four-over spell, leaving India struggling at 89 for five.

Goswami and Dhar then guided India through a tricky period before it finished at 183 for six.

The scores: India 183 for six in 50 overs (Jhulan Goswami 46) lost to Australia 186 for two in 37.4 overs (Alex Blackwell 75, Lisa Sthalekar 73). — PTI

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