BRISBANE – Australia kicked off their home ODI series against India with a commanding six-wicket victory at Allan Border Field, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match contest. Beth Mooney’s explosive 76-run knock proved decisive as the hosts chased down the target with ease.
India, electing to bat after losing the toss, struggled from the outset. Openers Pratikar Raval fell for a duck on the second ball, setting a shaky tone. Shefali Verma (4) and Jemimah Rodrigues (8) followed soon after, leaving India reeling at 52 for three.
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur steadied the ship with a gritty 53 off 84 balls, forging key partnerships. She added 48 runs with Smriti Mandhana, who scored 58, and later 53 with Kashvee Gautam (43). Richa Ghosh chipped in with 23, but India folded for 214 in 48.3 overs.
Australia’s bowlers shared the spoils, with Ashleigh Gardner claiming three wickets and Megan Schutt two. Darcy Brown, Alana King, Tahlia McGrath, and Sophie Molineux picked up one each.
Chasing 215, Alyssa Healy and Phoebe Litchfield provided a brisk 55-run opening stand. Litchfield smashed 32 off 32 balls before Georgia Voll departed for a duck. Healy (50) and Mooney then rebuilt with a 64-run stand.
Mooney took charge thereafter, blasting 76 off 79 balls with five fours and two sixes. Her 85-run partnership with Annabel Sutherland (48*) sealed the chase in 38.2 overs. India’s Renuka Singh Thakur took two wickets, while Kranti Gaud and Deepti Sharma claimed one apiece.
The series now heads to Hobart for the next matches on February 27 and March 1. Australia’s dominance sends a strong message to the visitors.