In a series marred by disciplinary setbacks and on-field dominance, the Indian Women’s Cricket Team has been fined 10% of their match fee for maintaining a slow over-rate during the second ODI of their ICC Women’s Championship series against Australia. The match, held in Brisbane, saw Australia post a record total of 371/8, their highest-ever score against India, leading to a 122-run defeat for the visitors.
The penalty was imposed under Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which addresses minimum over-rate offences. Players incur a 5% fine of their match fee for each over their side fails to bowl within the allotted time. The charges were brought by on-field umpires Claire Polosak and Donovan Koch, third umpire Jacqueline Williams, and fourth umpire David Taylor. Indian skipper Harmanpreet Kaur accepted the sanction, negating the need for a formal hearing.
Australia’s dominance continued as they clinched the three-match ODI series 3-0. In the final match in Perth, Ashleigh Gardner made history as the first Australian cricketer—male or female—to achieve a five-wicket haul in all formats of the game. Her exceptional spell of 5/30 dismantled India’s chase, leading to an 83-run victory for the reigning world champions.
Despite a valiant effort by Smriti Mandhana, who scored her ninth ODI century, India’s pursuit faltered. At 189/3, they appeared on track, but Gardner’s spell triggered a collapse, with the team bowled out for 215. This performance added to Gardner’s previous feats, including 8/66 against England in Nottingham (2023) and 5/12 against New Zealand at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in Paarl (2023).
Earlier, Australia faced early trouble after a stellar spell from Arundhati Reddy, leaving them at 78/4. However, a 96-run partnership between Gardner and Annabel Sutherland, who scored a composed 110 off 95 balls, featuring nine fours and four sixes, propelled Australia to a formidable total of 298/6. Sutherland’s innings marked her second ODI century and the highest score by an Australian batting at number five or lower.
With this victory, Australia solidified their position atop the ICC Women’s Championship standings with 34 points. They now face New Zealand in their final three matches of the cycle, poised to secure their third consecutive title. India remains third in the standings, with six ODIs left—three each against West Indies and Ireland. To claim their maiden ICC Women’s Championship title, India must win most of their remaining matches and hope for favorable outcomes in other fixtures.
