HAIL HARMAN!

Harmanpreet’s unbeaten 171 puts India in control

Derby, July 20: Harmanpreet Kaur played inarguably one of the finest ODI innings ever to lead India to an imposing 281 for 4 against Australia in the semifinal of the ICC Women’s World Cup, on Thursday.

The Indian vice-captain smashed her way to a career-best magical 171 off 115 balls, leaving the Australian bowlers in a daze in a match that has been curtailed to 42 overs a side due to inclement weather.

Australia were staring down the barrel at 140 for 5 after 27 overs, needing 142 runs in 15 overs at an improbable asking rate of 9.46 runs an over when this edition went to bed.

This was India’s highest ever total against the Southern Stars and could well be a match-winning total.

Harmanpreet’s third ODI century was embellished with 20 fours and as many as seven sixes. The innings could well be termed as the best ever played by an Indian woman in the limited overs cricket.

This is also the second highest individual score in ODIs for India behind Deepti Sharma’s 188 not out against South Africa earlier this year.

It was out of the world power-hitting by the girl from Moga district in Punjab — something that has made her a stand-out player for India.

The milestone from 51 to 100 was reached in 26 balls while she raced to 150 from 101 in mere 17 balls. The sixes flew from her bat with monotonic regularity as the Aussies had no clue what hit them.

After a dry run during the better part of the league stage, India’s most sought after T20 cricketer stepped up just when it mattered the most, after a useful 60 against New Zealand in the virtual quarterfinal. India Women Innings: S Mandhana c Villani b Schutt 6, PG Raut c Mooney b Gardner 14, M Raj b Beams 36, H Kaur (not out) 171, DB Sharma b Villani 25, V Krishnamurthy (not out) 16. Extras 13 (w 9, nb 1, lb 3). Total 281/4 (in 42 Overs).

SCOREBOARD

Bowling: Schutt 9-0-64-1, Perry 9-1-40-0, Jonassen 70-63-0, Gardner 8-0-43-1, Beams 8-0-49-1, Villani 1-019-1. FoW: 1-6, 2-35, 3-101, 4-238. Australia: 140 for 5 after 27 overs. (incomplete)