Australia’s women’s team completed a 3-0 sweep of India in the ODI series, with Annabel Sutherland’s all-round performance playing a pivotal role in their dominant victory in Perth on Wednesday. Sutherland was named “Player of the Match” for her outstanding contributions.
After winning the toss, India opted to field, but Australia made a strong start, with Phoebe Litchfield and Georgia Voll adding 58 runs for the opening partnership. India struck back when Arundhati Reddy dismissed Voll for 26. Litchfield soon followed for 25, and India seized control, with Reddy taking the key wickets of Ellyse Perry for 4 and Beth Mooney for 10, leaving Australia at 78/4.
Sutherland then steadied the innings, building a 92-run partnership with Ashleigh Gardner, who scored 50 off 64 balls. After Gardner’s dismissal, Sutherland found support from captain Tahlia McGrath, and together, they added 122 runs. McGrath contributed a composed half-century, while Sutherland’s 110 off 95 balls, featuring nine boundaries and four sixes, lifted Australia to 298/6 in 50 overs. Reddy was India’s standout bowler with 4/26 from 10 overs, and Deepti Sharma took one wicket.
In reply, India lost Richa Ghosh early for 2, but Smriti Mandhana and Harleen Deol combined for a 118-run partnership. Deol’s patient knock of 39 was followed by Mandhana’s ninth Women’s ODI century, a brilliant 105 off 109 balls. However, Mandhana’s dismissal led to a collapse. From 189/3, India fell to 189/6, with Deepti Sharma and Jemimah Rodrigues dismissed quickly.
Minnu Mani, in her second ODI, made 8 before being dismissed, and Gardner removed the lower order. Saima Thakor and Reddy were both dismissed cheaply, and Titas Sadhu was the final wicket to fall for 3. India was bowled out for 215, falling short by 83 runs.
Gardner’s outstanding bowling figures of 5/30 in 10 overs were crucial in dismantling India’s batting, with Alana King and Megan Schutt contributing two wickets each. Sutherland added one more to her tally. With this comprehensive win, Australia completed a 3-0 series sweep, showcasing their dominance and depth in both batting and bowling.
