Four-wicket loss for India women

India struggled to 103 for nine in 20 overs after being asked to bat. The visiting team’s bowlers did well to stretch the game till the penultimate over but there were not enough runs on the board. Ellyse Perry was the undisputed star of the game, picking up three wickets in one over before making 49 off 47 balls in Australia’s chase. India had beaten England in the tournament opener while Australia had lost to England in a Super Over finish on Saturday, leaving all three teams with a win each.

“Our lower order definitely needs to bat a lot better, especially when the top-order doesn’t get runs. However, really appreciate the performance of the bowlers,” said India skipper Harmanpreet Kaur at the post-match presentation. India next plays against England at the Junction Oval in Melbourne on February 7.

Barring opener Smriti Mandhana (35) and Harmanpreet (28), Indian batters showed complete lack of application on a pitch offering extra bounce.

India lost its last six wickets for 21 runs with pacer Perry (4/13 in 4 overs) picking three of them in 14th over, removing Harmanpreet, Taniya Bhatia and Deepti Sharma.

Sixteen-year-old Shafali Verma, touted as the next big thing in women’s cricket, lasted only three balls while Jemimah Rodrigues crawled to 1 off 11 balls, leaving its team at 16 for two in three overs.

The experienced Mandhana and Harmanpreet stitched a 40-run stand before the latter’s dismissal triggered a collapse.

The spin-heavy Indian bowling attack did all they could with left-arm spinner Rajeshwari Gayakwad taking two wickets for 18 runs in four overs. Offie Deepti Sharma, who opened the bowling, too kept things tight taking one wicket for 18 runs in four overs.

The tri-series is an important preparatory event ahead of the T20 World Cup beginning in Australia on February 21.

Brief scores: India 103/9 in 20 overs (S Mandhana 35, H Kaur 28, E Perry 4/13, T Vlaeminck 3/13) Australia 104/6 in 18.5 overs (E Perry 49, R Gayakwad 2/18)