AUS Women vs IND Women, 3rd ODI at Perth: Full Match Analysis
The cricketing rivalry between Australia Women and India Women reached a crescendo on December 11, 2024, at the iconic W.A.C.A Ground in Perth. The 3rd ODI of the series was a thrilling encounter that
showcased both teams' resilience and skill. With Australia Women securing a convincing 83-run victory, the match left fans and analysts with plenty to discuss. Let’s dive into the highlights, individual performances, and key moments that defined this exciting game.Match Summary
Result: Australia Women won by 83 runs.
Player of the Match: Annabel Sutherland (AUS-W) — 110 runs off 95 balls and 1/34 in 9 overs.
Player of the Series: Annabel Sutherland — 122 runs and 6 wickets in the series.
Australia Women Innings
Score: 298/6 (50 overs)
Winning the toss, Australia Women elected to bat first and made good use of the conditions at the W.A.C.A. Despite early setbacks, Annabel Sutherland’s brilliant century anchored the innings, supported by valuable contributions from Ashleigh Gardner and Tahlia McGrath.
India Women Innings
Score: 215 all out (45.1 overs)
Chasing a target of 299, India Women’s innings was powered by Smriti Mandhana’s valiant century. However, a lack of support from the middle and lower order, coupled with disciplined Australian bowling, resulted in India falling short by 83 runs.
Key Performances
Annabel Sutherland — The Star of the Show
The standout performer of the match and series, Annabel Sutherland’s all-round brilliance was instrumental in Australia’s victory. Her 110 off 95 balls was a masterclass in counter-attacking cricket. Coming in at a precarious position (78/4), she steadied the ship and then accelerated, smashing 9 fours and 4 sixes.
With the ball, Sutherland’s disciplined spell (9-0-34-1) included the crucial wicket of Harmanpreet Kaur. Her performance earned her both the Player of the Match and Player of the Series awards.
Ashleigh Gardner — Dominance with the Ball
Gardner’s 5-wicket haul (10-1-30-5) broke the backbone of India’s chase. Her variations and sharp turn on a helpful surface made her unplayable. She dismissed key players like Smriti Mandhana and Deepti Sharma, sealing India’s fate.
Smriti Mandhana — A Lone Warrior
India’s opener Smriti Mandhana displayed remarkable grit and determination. Her 105 off 109 balls included 14 boundaries and a six. However, she lacked support from the other batters, leading to India’s collapse.
Australia Women’s Innings: A Tale of Recovery
The Australian innings began shakily, losing four wickets within 16 overs. India’s Arundhati Reddy was the pick of the bowlers, claiming four wickets for just 26 runs in her 10 overs. However, the duo of Annabel Sutherland and Ashleigh Gardner took control, adding 96 runs for the fifth wicket.
Tahlia McGrath provided the finishing touches with a quick-fire 56 not out off 50 balls, ensuring Australia posted an imposing total of 298/6.
Top Performers with the Bat (AUS):
Annabel Sutherland: 110 (95), 9 fours, 4 sixes.
Ashleigh Gardner: 50 (64), 5 fours.
Tahlia McGrath: 56* (50), 5 fours.
Indian Bowling Analysis:
Arundhati Reddy: 10-2-26-4 — A standout spell of seam bowling.
Deepti Sharma: 9-0-77-1 — Expensive but picked up a key wicket.
India Women’s Chase: A Promising Start Ends in Disappointment
India’s chase began on a cautious note, losing Richa Ghosh early. Smriti Mandhana, however, looked in sublime form, dominating the Australian bowlers. She stitched a vital 118-run partnership with Harleen Deol, who scored a patient 39 off 64 balls.
The turning point came when Ashleigh Gardner dismissed Mandhana in the 36th over. From there, India’s innings unraveled, losing their last six wickets for just 26 runs.
Top Performers with the Bat (IND):
Smriti Mandhana: 105 (109), 14 fours, 1 six.
Harleen Deol: 39 (64), 4 fours.
Australian Bowling Analysis:
Ashleigh Gardner: 10-1-30-5 — Match-winning spell.
Megan Schutt: 7-0-26-2 — Early breakthroughs.
Annabel Sutherland: 9-0-34-1 — Maintained pressure.
Turning Points of the Match
Sutherland’s Counter-Attack: At 78/4, Sutherland’s aggressive approach changed the momentum, taking Australia to a defendable total.
Gardner’s All-Round Performance: Her 50 with the bat and five-wicket haul with the ball proved decisive.
Mandhana’s Dismissal: India’s hopes ended when Gardner dismissed Mandhana in the 36th over.
Statistical Highlights
Highest Individual Score: Annabel Sutherland (110 off 95).
Best Bowling Figures: Ashleigh Gardner (10-1-30-5).
Most Boundaries: Smriti Mandhana (14 fours, 1 six).
What’s Next for Both Teams?
The win sealed the ODI series for Australia Women, demonstrating their dominance on home soil. India Women, despite the loss, showed glimpses of brilliance and will look to regroup ahead of their next series.
Key Takeaways for India:
Strengthen the middle-order batting to complement Mandhana and Harmanpreet.
Improve death bowling to restrict opposition in the final overs.
Key Takeaways for Australia:
Continue leveraging the all-round abilities of players like Sutherland and Gardner.
Fine-tune fielding to capitalize on critical moments.
Conclusion
The 3rd ODI between Australia Women and India Women was a showcase of high-quality cricket. While Australia emerged victorious, India’s spirited fight, led by Smriti Mandhana, kept the contest alive. As both teams gear up for future challenges, fans can look forward to more thrilling encounters between these two cricketing giants.