New Delhi: Two breathtaking centuries, 99 fours, 12 sixes, and an aggregate of 781 runs — the highest in women’s ODI — culminated in a 43-run defeat for India following a valiant chase as Australia women won the ODI series 2-1. The Australians were evidently hurting from their biggest defeat in ODIs in the previous match in Mullanpur and they came out to bat all guns blazing. Led by a superlative ton from Beth Mooney, Australia rattled up 412, their joint-highest total in ODIs, before a late collapse saw them bowled out in 47.5 overs. If the Australians thought the match was already in the bag, they were proven wrong by Smriti Mandhana. The elegant southpaw gave the visitors a mighty scare by hitting a blistering century, the second-fastest in WODIs and the fastest-ever by an Indian. Not overawed by the imposing target, Mandhana took the attack to the opposition camp. Though she saw the departure of her opening partner Pratika Rawal (10) and Harleen Deol (11) quite early, it made little impact on her. She lofted and pulled the Aussie bowlers with effortless ease to find the fence with regularity. With skipper Harmanpreet Kaur also helping herself to a quickfire half-century (52 off 35 balls, 8×4), India raced past the 200-run mark in the 20th over. However, the dismissal of the duo in the next two overs saw the Australians taking the wind out of India’s chase. Mandhana’s sublime knock came to an end when she top-edged a loopy full toss from Grace Harris to Ashleigh Gardner at deep backward square-leg. She made 125 from 53 balls (17×4, 5×6). Though Deepti Sharma hit a fluent 58-ball 72 (7×4, 2×6) down the order, India were bowled out for 369, their third-highest ODI total. Earlier, the lead protagonist in the Australian run rampage was Mooney, who smashed a career-best 138 (75 balls; 23×4, 1×6). Georgia Voll (81) and Ellyse Perry (68) played the perfect subplot in the Australian blockbuster. The Australian innings resembled a baton exchange in a relay race. Skipper Alyssa Healy set the tone with a brisk 18-ball 30. Brief scores: Aus Women 412 (Mooney 138, Voll 81, Reddy 3-86) beat Ind Women 369 (Mandhana 125, Deepti 72, Harmanpreet 52) by 43 runs.
