IND W VS AUS W MATCH 13

Right then, a clash that certainly lived up to the billing, with two heavyweights trading blows, but ultimately it was Australia delivering the knockout punch. With this win, they climb to the top of the standings. They will stay in Visakhapatnam to face Bangladesh on Thursday, 16th October. India, having now suffered two losses in a row, sit third on the standings. They travel to Indore to face England on Sunday, 19th October. A new week in the 2025 Women’s World Cup kicks off with South Africa taking on Bangladesh here in Visakhapatnam. The first ball will be bowled at 3 pm IST (9.30 am GMT), but join us early for the pre-match build-up. See you then. Cheers!

Alyssa Healy, the skipper of Australia, says that she is happy to take the two points. Adds that the top order needed to contribute more in this chase. She believes that the start she and Phoebe Litchfield provided was necessary for the team. Praises the way the birthday girl, Annabel Sutherland, bowled to pick up a five-fer. Ends up saying that the opposition could have easily scored more runs on the board, but lauds the bowlers for restricting them to 330.

The captain of India, Harmanpreet Kaur believes that the last 6-7 overs with the bat cost them the game and feels that they could have scored 30-40 runs more. Mentions that it is important how you bounce back and there are a lot of positives from this game. Praises Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal, saying that the opening duo has been outstanding for them this year. Says that Sree Charani was excellent and did a stellar job in keeping Alyssa Healy quiet. Adds that Sree steps up whenever the team needs her. Believes that going with 5 bowlers has worked for them in the past and a couple of losses is not going to change that fact.

Alyssa Healy is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for her match-winning 142 off 107 balls. She says that she is very proud of the team. Adds it was a bit tight at the end but she is happy to bag the win. Mentions that they were confident about the chase, as it was a batting pitch and got the advantage playing under the lights, where the ball slid onto the bat.

Time for the presentation ceremony...

After being asked to bat first, Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal gave India the perfect platform with a 155-run opening stand. Richa Ghosh and Jemimah Rodrigues kept the momentum going after Australia landed a double blow. Just as India were setting themselves up for a strong finish, Ghosh fell, and from there, they lost their way. Annabel Sutherland completed the clean-up job to finish with a five-wicket haul as India lost 6 for 36 to be bowled out for 330.

Coming off a string of low scores, Alyssa put on a masterclass with her 142-run knock, the highest of this year’s World Cup and her first century as Australian captain. It got a bit too close for comfort towards the end, with Gardner perishing and Sophie Molineux following her back to the pavilion. However, all Australia needed were calm heads at the crease, and they found that through Ellyse Perry, who returned to bat after recovering from cramps, and received support from Kim Garth to take the team over the line. Sree Charani stood out with her control, but the rest of the Indian attack struggled to apply the squeeze, something they could not afford on a track offering little assistance.

Australia got off the blocks quickly through Phoebe Litchfield and Alyssa Healy, and from there, India were left playing catch-up. While they managed to dismiss Litchfield, Healy stood tall and forged partnerships one after the other. India found a window after Ellyse Perry retired hurt and managed to pick up a couple of wickets. Healy stitched together a 95-run stand with Ashleigh Gardner to take the wind out of the Indian sails after that double strike. What became the theme of the chase was that every time India seemed to build a bit of pressure, it was released by loose deliveries that followed.

Australia have just shown why they are the favourites to go all the way! It got a bit nervy towards the end, but it was a chasing masterclass from the Aussies as they pulled off the highest successful run chase in Women’s ODIs. For India, it is a tough pill to swallow after posting 330 on the board. They left a few runs out there with the bat, and with only five frontline bowling options, they were not ideally equipped to get the job done. That said, nothing can be taken away from the brilliance of the team in yellow.

SIX! BANG! Ellyse Perry finishes it off with a flat hit! Sneh serves a flighted delivery, full and on off, Perry gets to the pitch of the ball and swings through the line. Thumps it with a straight bat back over the bowler's head for a six. Australia Women ace a mammoth chase of 331 with an over to spare!

This is slowed down, on a nagging length, on leg, Kim advances and nurdles it behind square on the leg side for a run. 6 needed off 7 for Australia.

On a nagging length, on off, Perry steps out to go down the ground. Hits it on the bounce to long on and collects a single.

Floated up, on middle, Garth uses her feet and clips it to deep mid-wicket for a run.

FOUR! Wow, what a time to bring out the reverse! Very full from Sneh, on off, Kim takes it on the full and plays the reverse through the vacant short third region for a boundary. 9 needed off 10.

Rana begins from over the wicket and looks to bowl it right in the blockhole, on off, Garth steps out but ends up getting too close to the ball. Squeezes it out towards short mid-wicket.

Two dots to end the over! Full and on off, Ellyse Perry gets on the front foot and knocks it back to Kaur. Australia need 13 runs off 12 balls!

Hurls it on a short of a length, on off, Perry presses back to block it out.