Teenage tearaway rips apart Indians

TEENAGE bowling sensation Darcie Brown (pictured) lived out a reality Tv-style dream when the 18-year-old combined with two established superstars to stretch Australia’s one-day winning streak to 25 in Mackay.

The worry for the home team trying to keep the world record streak alive in the international season opener against India was rustiness and the inexperienced bowling attack after the top two bowlers in the world were unavailable.

But a stunning one-two punch from Australia’s next generation of quicks, Brown and first-gamer Hannah Darlington, put the home team on the front foot before superstar openers Rachel Haynes (93 not out) and Alyssa Healy (77) helped hammer home a comprehensive win.

Australia reached India’s target of 8-225 just one wicket down in the 41st over.

Captain Meg Lanning scored an unbeaten 53 as Haynes fell agonisingly short of her second ODI century.

While superstar Ellyse Perry showed the effects of two weeks hard quarantine in the lead-up to the game with a lacklustre opening effort in Australia’s first match since April, Brown showed that Australia’s bowling future was in exciting hands.

Playing just her second oneday game for Australia, the South Australian, who just wants to “bowl as fast as I can”, rocked the Indian openers after they had flayed an out-ofsorts Perry in her opening spell.

Brown, who “got whacked” in five overs against India in a practice game last weekend, was near unplayable.

She snared the opening two wickets of the game in her first three overs, and then two more in her second spell to finish with 4-33.