Image Credit- BCCI
In the second Twenty20 International against India,
Australia defeated them by six wickets thanks to a disciplined bowling effort
and a remarkable cameo from Ellyse Perry, in her 300th international match.
With one match remaining at the DY Patil Stadium, Australia levelled the series
at one.
India was picked to bat first and was only able to
reach 130 because of the efforts of Annabel Sutherland and Georgia Wareham, who
combined for four wickets while giving up just 35 runs in eight overs. India
batted differently than they did in the first Twenty20 International, when they
chased down 141 with nine wickets remaining, and they continued to lose wickets
at a steady rate, finishing below par. With dew also playing a part, the target
never appeared dangerous, as the series opener made clear.
Shafali Verma, who was leading scorer two days prior
with 64 runs not out, was lost early by India as Kim Garth trapped her in front
for 1. Darcie Brown had been replaced by Garth, who went on to win Player of
the Match.
Australia dida good job on their preparation by
keeping a sweeper cover for Smriti Mandhana to contain in the powerplay, and it
worked. In the fourth over, Jemimah Rodrigues nicked an outswinger to the
keeper, giving Garth her second. Though trying to go large, Mandhana fell to
Sutherland’s short ball, failing to convert her start, looking excellent for
her 23. India lost the eighth over at 42 for 3.
Soon after, Harmanpreet Kaur’s dismal run of form
continued, and it was 54 for 4. Deepti and Richa Ghosh tried to pick up the
pace. 33 runs were scored in 24 balls by them. Due to a belated evaluation by
Alyssa Healy, Wareham fired Ghosh just as their collaboration was taking off.
Despite the first appearance of possibly pitching slightly outside leg, the
delivery was full-length and precisely positioned to trap the batter with a
double. The legspinner hit Pooja Vastrakar in front in her subsequent over, and
Healy again made the correct review.
Australia got off to a fast start in the pursuit,
partly due to the inflow of dew. Healy took advantage of the powerplay’s
fielding limitations, and after six innings, Australia was 47/0.
It wasn’t until Deepti Sharma was introduced that
Australia appeared to be in any kind of jeopardy. With her first delivery, the
offspinner got Healy for 26, ending the opening stand of 51 runs, as Patil made
a superb low catch at long on. Deepti made Mooney come down the track in her
second over, but she was stumped for a 29-ball 20 by keeper Ghosh when she was
unable to make contact.
After hitting three fours in her 21-ball stay, Tahlia
McGrath was removed by Patil in the 14th over, bringing Australia’s total down
to 42 from 36.
Perry and Phoebe Litchfield then shattered any chance
India might have had at that point, sharing an unbroken stand of 36 from just
20 balls. Both batsmen reached over 150 runs scored, with Litchfield
contributing 18 runs without out and Perry finishing undefeated on 34 off 21
deliveries. With an over remaining, Perry concluded the match in spectacular
fashion, hitting a six over deep midwicket in her 300th international match.