Mandhana fifty in vain, India lose by 11 runs
MELBOURNE: Opener Smriti Mandhana’s 37-ball 66 went in vain as Australia beat India by 11 runs to win the Tri-nation Women’s T20 Series on Wednesday. Set a target of 156, India were all out for 144. Left-arm spinner Jess Jonassen was the star of the show with brilliant figures of 5/12 in four overs.
Opting to bat, Australia managed to post 155/6 in 20 overs. Chasing a challenging target, Mandhana was up to the task and smashed 12 fours in her knock at the Junction Oval.
However, Mandhana’s dismissal in the 15th over, caught brilliantly by Nicola Carey at deep mid-wicket, turned the match in Australia’s favour.
The departure of skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, in the 16th over dashed India’s hopes of a victory.
Earlier, India’s Rajeshwari Gayakwad leaked 19 runs in the last over to let Australia off the hook and post a challenging total on the board. Opener Beth Mooney top-scored for the hosts with an aggressive 71 off 54 balls, hitting nine boundaries.
India will now compete in the T20 World Cup and their first match is against Australia in Sydney on Feb 21.
Brief scores: Australia: 155 for six in 20 overs (Beth Mooney 71 not out). India: 144 all out in 20 overs (Smriti Mandhana 66, Jess Jonassen 5/12).
INDIAN MATCH REFEREE
GS Lakshmi will become the first Indian woman match referee to officiate at an ICC event when the Women’s T20 World Cup starts in Australia from February 21. Lakshmi will officiate as match referee in the league match between West Indies and Thailand on February 22 in Perth. Last year, she had become the first female match referee to oversee a men’s ODI in the opening match ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 in the United Arab Emirates.