![Annabel Sutherland sizzled in the Perth heat with a commendable century [Image: Getty] Australia](https://www.womenscricinsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/FEATURED-IMAGE-11.jpg "Annabel Sutherland sizzled in the Perth heat with a commendable century [Image: Getty]")
In a pulsating contest at the iconic WACA in Perth, Australia clinched a commanding 83-run victory over India in the third ODI, thereby whitewashing the visitors 3-0. Annabel Sutherland delivered a stellar all-round performance, earning her the Player of the Match award with a sensational 110 off 95 balls and a crucial wicket.
Litchfield and Voll Start Strongly
Australia, choosing to bat first, began their innings with a mix of aggression and caution in the face of India’s disciplined bowling attack. The opening pair of Phoebe Litchfield and Georgia Voll looked promising, crafting a steady 50-run partnership within just 7.2 overs.
Their quick start hinted at a commanding total, as both batters found the gaps with ease, countering the new-ball threat effectively. However, the tide turned dramatically as Arundhati Reddy, with her sharp line and length, triggered a collapse in the top order. Reddy’s incisive spells dismantled the Australian top three, sending shockwaves through the batting lineup.
Arundhati Reddy Decimates The Aussie Top Order
Reddy’s mastery with the ball was the highlight of the early overs. She struck consistently, claiming four wickets in a sensational 10-over spell, conceding just 26 runs. Her ability to generate movement and vary her pace left the Australian batters struggling to build momentum. As wickets fell in quick succession, Australia found themselves in a precarious position at 84 for 4 by the end of the 20th over. India appeared firmly in control at this stage, thanks to Reddy’s exceptional bowling and sharp fielding efforts from the team.
Annabel Sutherland Turns Australia’s Fortunes Around
The game took a dramatic turn when Annabel Sutherland walked to the crease. With the team in a challenging situation, she launched a brilliant counter-attack that completely shifted the dynamics of the match. Sutherland displayed a perfect blend of composure and aggression, taking calculated risks to stabilize the innings.
She formed a crucial partnership with Ashleigh Gardner, who added a brisk 50 runs to the scoreboard. Gardner’s innings provided the initial impetus needed to rebuild Australia’s innings, and her boundary-hitting ability complemented Sutherland’s fluent stroke play.
As Gardner departed, Tahlia McGrath joined Sutherland, and together they mounted a late-innings assault on the Indian bowlers. McGrath, with her unbeaten 56 off just 50 balls, provided solid support to Sutherland, rotating the strike efficiently and punishing loose deliveries.
Meanwhile, Sutherland continued to dominate, reaching her maiden ODI century in style. Her innings was a spectacle of power and precision, featuring nine boundaries and four towering sixes. She remained the cornerstone of Australia’s batting effort, showcasing her ability to absorb pressure and capitalize on scoring opportunities.
The duo’s 122-run partnership for the sixth wicket proved decisive, as they propelled Australia to an imposing total of 298 for 6. McGrath’s controlled aggression and Sutherland’s fireworks in the latter stages of the innings ensured that Australia finished with a flourish, leaving India with a daunting chase.
Reddy’s stellar bowling performance in the early stages stood out, but the resilience and class of Sutherland and McGrath under pressure ultimately defined the innings. Their efforts not only rescued Australia from a precarious position but also put them in a commanding position in the match.
Smriti Mandhana Leads From The Front
India’s chase began with cautious optimism, facing a steep target of 299 against a well-oiled Australian bowling attack. At the forefront of their innings was Smriti Mandhana, who put on a batting masterclass with a valiant knock of 105 runs off 109 balls.
The left-hander’s innings was a symphony of elegance and precision, marked by her trademark fluent strokeplay. Mandhana pierced the field with 14 crisply-timed boundaries and one authoritative six, reaching her century with remarkable poise. Her innings provided a glimmer of hope for India, as she anchored the chase while wickets fell at the other end.
Mandhana’s approach was a mix of aggression and strategic accumulation. She adapted brilliantly to the bowlers’ variations, finding gaps with ease and punishing anything loose. Her ability to play both spin and pace with equal assurance kept India in the hunt, even as the required run rate began to climb.
The way she maneuvered the field and rotated the strike showcased her maturity and experience, making her knock a standout performance in an otherwise faltering batting effort.
However, Mandhana’s brilliance stood as a lone beacon in a chase marred by lackluster contributions from the rest of the batting lineup. Richa Ghosh, opening alongside Mandhana, was dismissed early, putting immediate pressure on the Indian middle order.
Harmanpreet Kaur and Jemimah Rodrigues Struggle
Harleen Deol offered some resistance with a gritty 39 off 64 balls, but her inability to accelerate at crucial junctures stalled the momentum. Harmanpreet Kaur and Jemimah Rodrigues, both capable match-winners, failed to convert their starts into substantial scores, leaving India’s middle order vulnerable and exposed to Australia’s relentless attack.
As the chase progressed, India’s middle-order frailties came to the fore. Ashleigh Gardner, who had already made her mark with the bat, turned the game decisively in Australia’s favor with a scintillating spell of bowling. Gardner was unplayable on the day, her variations in pace and trajectory proving too much for India’s batters.
She claimed five wickets for just 30 runs, her career-best figures in ODIs, as she dismantled the Indian lower order with clinical precision. Gardner’s ability to extract turn and deceive batters with her flight and subtle variations created immense pressure, leading to a collapse that saw India lose six wickets for just 26 runs.
The turning point of the innings came with the dismissal of Mandhana, whose wicket was crucially claimed by Alana King. King’s well-disguised leg spin lured Mandhana into a false shot, ending India’s hopes of chasing down the target. King’s contribution with the ball, which included two vital scalps, complemented Gardner’s brilliance and showcased the depth in Australia’s bowling attack.
India’s Batting Collapses Like A Pack Of Cards
India’s innings crumbled from a promising position of 189 for 4 to being bowled out for 215. The lack of partnerships, coupled with the inability of the lower order to handle the pressure, underscored India’s struggles. Compounding their woes was the indiscipline in the field during Australia’s innings, with 17 extras conceded—highlighting a sharp contrast to the hosts’ disciplined display with the ball.
Australia’s comprehensive victory highlighted their dominance across all departments. Annabel Sutherland’s heroics with the bat in the first innings set the tone, while Ashleigh Gardner’s all-round brilliance sealed the contest emphatically. The performance reflected Australia’s unmatched depth, skill, and resilience, traits that make them a formidable force in women’s cricket.
For India, the defeat was a stark reminder of their inconsistencies, particularly in the batting department. While Mandhana’s century was a bright spot, the lack of support around her and the inability to form meaningful partnerships proved costly. As India regroups, the lessons from this game will be pivotal as they prepare for the challenges ahead, emphasizing the need for collective contributions and a more cohesive batting strategy to complement individual brilliance.
Brief Scores- Australia vs India: 3rd One Day International 2024
Australia: 298/6 in 50 overs (Annabel Sutherland 107, Ashleigh Gardner 50; Arundhati Reddy 4/26) defeated India: 215 all out in 43.2 overs (Smriti Mandhana 105; Ashleigh Gardner 5/30, Alana King 2/39) by 83 runs.
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