Hobart, February 27 – Australia women’s cricket team crushed India by 5 wickets in the second ODI, sealing an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. Chasing a modest target of 252, the Aussies romped home in just 36.1 overs, losing only five wickets in a clinical display of batting prowess.
Captain Alyssa Healy was all smiles post-match, praising her team’s execution. ‘I’m genuinely thrilled with this result,’ she said. ‘We pulled off an outstanding chase, even better than the first game. India’s total was below par on this pitch, and our bowlers set it up perfectly by restricting them to 251 for 9.’
Healy singled out the bowling attack for keeping India to a gettable score. ‘Holding the opposition to 250 on such a surface is a massive effort from our bowlers. We were in control after the first innings,’ she added.
Phoebe Litchfield’s composed 80 off 62 balls earned special mention. ‘The way she settled in and took charge was brilliant,’ Healy noted. Georgia Wareham starred with a maiden century, smashing 101 off 82 deliveries, including 13 fours and a six.
Earlier, India, batting first after winning the toss, struggled to build partnerships. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur top-scored with 54, while Pratika Rawal made 52. But the rest faltered against Australia’s seamers Annabel Sutherland and Alana King, who claimed 2 wickets each.
With the series in the bag, Healy urged her side to maintain momentum in the dead rubber on March 1. ‘We want to replicate this performance in the final ODI,’ she said, eyes already on future challenges.