India women lose warm-up in Oz

Brisbane: The Indian women’s

team made a disappointing start to their tour of Australia as theyr suffered a 36-run loss in a 50-over warm-up match

here on Saturday. Opener Rachael Haynes (65),

Meg Lanning (59) and Beth Mooney (59) smashed individual fifties as Australia posted a challenging 278 for nine after batting first at the Ian Healy

Oval. In reply, India could only manage 242 for seven in their 50 overs with Pooja Vastrakar (57)

emerging as the top-scorer. For Australia, star all-rounder Ellyse Perry (2/38) made a successful return to new-ball duties as she, along with 19-year-old quick Stella Campbell (3/38),

snapped two wickets each inside the first 15 overs to leave

India reeling at 88 for four. Perry produced a disciplined performance, bowling a tight line and was rewarded with the

wickets of opener Smriti Mandhana (14) and Mithali Raj (1). The two teams will meet in the ODI series opener on

Tuesday.