HERO: Ash Gardner was the match-winner for the Aussies in their great comeback win against India as she scored an unbeaten 52 not out off just 35 deliveries, the knock included nine fours.
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THE Australian women’s cricket team has pulled off one of the most staggering comebacks in its opening pool match against India at the Commonwealth Games.
Needing 155 to win, the Australians’ run chase got off to a rocky start, plummeting to 5/49. However, an unbeaten half-century from Ash Gardner, and an attacking cameo from Grace Harris saw the Aussies claim a three-wicket win with an over to spare.
India won the toss and elected to bat first, in what was the first cricket match played at the Commonwealth Games since 1998.
Darcie Brown claimed the first scalp, dismissing a fast-starting Smriti Mandhana, who scored 24 of India’s first 25 runs.
Shafali Verma and keeper, Yastika Bhatia would then put on a 43-run partnership before the latter was run out by Harris for eight.
Verma would be dismissed shortly after, two runs short of a half-century.
Captain, Harmanpreet Kaur then took charge, en route to 52 off 34 deliveries, which included eight boundaries and a maximum.
But it was at the other end of the crease that Australia was doing the damage.
Jess Jonassen took 4/22 off her four overs, steering the ship back in the favour of the Aussies. Adelaide Striker, Megan Schutt closed out the innings, taking two wickets in her final two deliveries.
With the Australians inching closer to victory, Renuka Singh had other plans.
Dismissing Alyssa Healy for a second-ball duck, followed by Beth Mooney, Meg Lanning and Tahlia McGrath not long after, Singh would finish with figures of 4/18 off her four overs.
Rachael Haynes fell three overs later, but with Singh bowling herself out of the attack, Gardner and Harris unleashed on the other Indian bowlers.
A 51-run partnership between the pair turned the tide once again for the green and gold, with Alana King eventually joining Gardner to secure a three-wicket victory.
India will be looking to bounce back against Pakistan on Sunday night, while Australia will be eager to seal top spot of its group against Barbados on Monday morning.*
*Both times are based on AEST
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