OZ SNATCH WIN AWAY FROM INDIA

CHANDIGARH: Jhulan Goswami bounced in for the last ball needing to defend three runs. She and India thought they had done that — as did the television commentators — when Nicola Carey cross-batted a full toss that didn’t clear square-leg. Goswami was hugged by skipper Mithali Raj, two 38-year old ambassadors of the sport celebrating an incredible win that had stopped a phenomenal Australian run and kept the ODI series alive.

Only, they hadn’t. Umpires ruled delivery was above waist and hence a no-ball. Now, Australia needed two and as Carey drove towards long-on, she and Beth Mooney hared between wickets to seal a five-wicket win that was as dramatic for Australia as it was devastating for India. Twenty-five successive wins went on 26 — the longest winning streak in ODIS for men or women — and a series tantalisingly poised till that no-ball was pocketed 2-0 by the home team. In the course of one ball, India had journeyed from congratulations to commiseration.

“It was a great game played by both the teams,” said Raj at the post-match presentation. “For me it was quite a nervous last ball because anything could have happened, we didn’t expect a no-ball but it’s part of the game.” Chasing 275 to win, Australia needed 13 off the last over when Raj turned to her team mate of nearly two decades. She had done that earlier, getting Goswami to try and break a burgeoning partnership between Mooney and Tahlia Mcgrath (74; 77 balls; nine fours). Goswami couldn’t do that but managed to push the asking rate to over 8.

With heavy dew making bowling difficult, Goswami began with a full toss which Mooney played to midwicket and ran three because of an overthrow.

Carey got two off the next ball which saw another misfield and then Goswami conceded a free hit because her delivery clattered into the batter’s helmet. Carey couldn’t connect but stole a single, wicket-keeper Richa Ghosh missing the stumps in trying to run out opener Mooney whose majestic unbeaten innings of 125 (133 balls, 12 fours) not only shepherded Australia to victory but gave them hope when at 52/4 it looked to be in short supply.

Another leg-bye as Mooney failed to connect left Australia needing five off two. Carey’s slog to long-on fetched two before that no-ball. It was edge-of-theseat stuff, said Raj.